In this SEC Power Poll, Daily Mississippian Sports Editor Dylan Rubino ranks the 14 Southeastern Conference teams. The Ole Miss Rebels will play Presbyterian College Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
1. Mississippi State- It was a major scare at home for the top ranked Bulldogs against Arkansas, but quarterback Dak Prescott and company held on to escape the upset 17-10. Prescott had a career high in with 331 passing yards, but threw two crucial interceptions that gave Arkansas an opportunity to pull of the monumental upset on the road. The defense looked stellar against the strong Razorback ground attack.
2. Alabama- If you give head coach Nick Saban an extra week to prepare for one opponent, he will most likely win that game, the one exception being against Ole Miss this season. The bye week came at the right week for the Crimson Tide where they travel to Baton Rouge to face rival LSU Saturday night. The last time Alabama played at Death Valley at night, they won.
3. Auburn- In a game where both teams were deserving of the victory, Auburn caught the breaks necessary in order to pull off the road win at Ole Miss 35-31. Senior quarterback Nick Marshall played his best game as a passer, throwing for 254 yards with two scores and one interception. Marshall also ran for two scores. Auburn gained 502 yards against arguably the nation’s top defense. The Tigers get Texas A&M at home Saturday.
4. Ole Miss- It was a case of adding injury to insult for the Rebels. Losing a potential playoff elimination game gut wrenching, but losing wide receiver Laquon Treadwell to a gruesome leg injury is even worse. After not surrendering more than 20 points all season on defense, the Rebels gave up 35 to Auburn. Ole Miss is still mathematically alive for the SEC crown, but it will take a lot of luck.
5. LSU- With Ole Miss losing, LSU has a punchers chance to make a run for the SEC. With a bye week between Ole Miss and their game this weekend at home against Alabama, the Tigers could make a statement in the SEC West if they pull off back-to-back upsets in Death Valley. This is a telling weekend for Les Miles’ squad.
6. Georgia- Who saw that coming? The Bulldogs laid an egg in Jacksonville against Florida and lost 38-20. The defense gave up over 400 rushing yards to Florida and struggled to find consistency running the ball against the Florida defense. Georgia needs a win at Kentucky Saturday in order to stay atop the SEC East race.
7. Missouri- That’s three wins in a row for the defending SEC East champs. Sophomore quarterback Maty Mauk got back on track and led the Tigers to a 20-10 victory over Kentucky. The Missouri defense held Kentucky to just 2-16 on third down. A bye week is up for Missouri, then a trip to College Station to face reeling Texas A&M.
8. Texas A&M- Head coach Kevin Sumlin thought it would be a good idea to bench quarterback Kenny Hill. Hill ended up being suspended two games for violating team policies. Touted freshman quarterback Kyle Allen got the start, and struggled immensely. In his first start, Allen went 13 of 28 for 106 yards with one score and one interception in a 21-16 victory over Louisiana-Monroe. The Aggies travel to Auburn next.
9. Arkansas- Arkansas almost picked up their first SEC win of the season. It almost happened against the number one team in the country on the road. The running game was not what it used to be, only rushing for 193 yards. The defense forced three turnovers, which kept them in the game. A bye week is next, then LSU at home.
10. Florida- Head coach Will Muschamp may have saved his job for one more season with the win over rival Georgia. The rushing attack exploded for almost 450 yards, which sealed the victory, even though freshman quarterback Treon Harris only passed the ball six times. At Vanderbilt and home against South Carolina are the next two games.
11. Kentucky- The fall from grace continues for Kentucky, who was once one game back from being in first place in the SEC East. The Wildcats have now lost three in a row with the latest loss coming at Missouri. It doesn’t get easier with Georgia coming to Lexington Saturday.
12. Tennessee- It was a tough battle at South Carolina, but Tennessee got their first SEC win of the season 45-42 in overtime. The changing of quarterback to dual threat sophomore Joshua Dobbs really sparked the offense. Dobbs passed for 301 yards with two scores and one interception. Dobbs also rushed for 166 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns. He may be the spark the offense was missing.
13. South Carolina- Head coach Steve Spurrier’s postgame press conference lasted less than one minute after their loss at home to Tennessee in overtime. Not much needed to be said after giving up 45 points to a struggling Volunteer offense. The season seems to be lost with a 4-5 record.
14. Vanderbilt- No problems for Vanderbilt in their win over Old Dominion 42-28. Another opportunity to pick up their first SEC win of the season comes this weekend at home against Florida.
