SEC Power Rankings: Week 1

By Adam Zimmerman

The SEC opened its title defense with a sub-par (by its own standards, not anyone else's) Week 1. While the middle-of-the-pack teams played cupcakes, while Ole Miss and Vandy had one of the nation's most exciting games, and while Kentucky and Mississippi State did what they do (lose), the SEC went 3-2 in its notable non-conference games. While the W-L record is respectable, each team showed that they have plenty to work on as the competition ramps up.

(My original SEC Power Rankings did not format with the internet properly, so if you didn't read them 1) good, you saved yourself some time and 2) know that I had Georgia first (my pick to win the SEC) followed by Texas A&M, Florida and Alabama as my prediction for how'd they finish in the BCS rankings.) 

1. Alabama

Their offense could only muster up 98 yards on 36 rushes. And they still covered the 21.5 point spread. With the weapons that the Tide has at WR and the emergence of AJ McCarron as more than just a game manager, their run game won't need to be the steam rolling juggernaut it was the last two years. That being said, go ahead and sleep on Saban's running game and see what happens, you'll be playing right into his hands.

2. LSU

I only got to see the 4th quarter of the Tigers vs. TCU but both teams impressed a lot. Marshall has a better take on the Frogs, but as far as what I saw from LSU, it seemed to be the status quo under Les Miles. Big, powerful defensive lineman, athletic secondary and a running game that can eat up the last 5 minutes of a game like the Jewish people at a delicatessen. If offensive coordinator Cam Cameron continues to evolve this offense the Tigers will be very dangerous. If QB Mettenberg doesn't improve though, LSU will not be able to keep up with the rest of the SEC. 

3. Texas A&M

Some people need focus and discipline and stability to thrive. Some people trive off of criticism and adversity. Which one do you think Johnny Manziel is? He'll be fine. He could have the same or better numbers than last year and still not win the Heisman but his play is not what gives me the most concern with the Aggies. I know their defense had a number of starters suspended before kickoff but Rice ran all over them. Would their starters have stuffed the Owls? Probably. But the starters won't play every play against Bama or LSU, and the defenders who let Rice embarrass them in the first half will have to improve a lot if A&M wants to make a serious run at the SEC title this season. 

4. Florida

Showed us exactly what we expected: Great defense, solid running game, suspect passing. If the latter improves, Florida will be floating right around this spot all season.

5. Georgia

Am I concerned that they couldn't beat an ACC team and that their #1 WR tore his ACL celebrating a touchdown? Yes. But Georgia lost to South Carolina last year, 35-7 and was still 5 yards away from winning the National Championship. Aaron Murray and Todd Gurley each looked as good as I predicted, so hopefully they can bounce back. They'll need to do so quickly with the Gamecocks coming in between the hedges this weekend. 

6. South Carolina

If you are one of the many people out there who is criticizing JeDeveon Clowney or were somehow disappointed in his performance in the season opener last Thursday, congratulations, you have just watched every play a defensive lineman played in a game for the first time in your life. Clowney was every bit as disruptive as I expected him to be. First of all it was 110 degrees on the field and North Carolina was running a hurry up offense. Even Reggie White would've been sucking wind by the 2nd quarter. 2nd, North Carolina ran every single play away from him. 3rd, UNC used 2-3 players on every single pass play to deal with him. If a player forces an offense to only use one side of the field, and create a 10-on-9 or 10-on-8 advantage for the defense by demanding extra blockers, as a coach, I'd be happy if he finished the game with 0 tackles. Get used to this this season. This is what happens when casual fans focus on the line play during a game - they get bored. Defensive line is the most physically taxing position on the field. They sub in and out more than any other position (and it's not even close) and have less stats to analyze than anyone else besides offensive lineman. Unless a team decides not to game plan against Clowney, he won't be knocking running backs' helmets off very often. But he will still be the most disruptive player in the country. 

SC stays behind Georgia because their offense did not impress me at all. Needs consistency and needs it fast.  

7. Ole Miss

Beau Wallace got tossed around like a rag doll in the 3rd quarter against Vanderbilt. But to his, and Coach Hugh Freeze's, credit, the Rebels never gave in and were able to get the ball to their young WRs who gave us all a glimpse of what we can expect. Like I've said before, their youth may slow them down at the beginning of the season, but with their talent they have the ability to be one of the more dangerous teams in November. 

8. Tennessee

Butch Jones is 1-0. He'll get to 2-0. After that (at No. 2 Oregon, at No. 12 Florida, hosting No. 11 Georgia and No. 6 South Carolina, and at No. 1 Alabama in just the span of 8 weeks) he'll be hoping to make it to Halloween without too many injuries. This season is about playing time for this young Volunteer team. The more players that stay healthy, the less question marks (hopefully) there will be headed into 2014. 

9. Vanderbilt

If you don't know him yet, meet one of my new favorite players (it pains me to admit that yes, Vanderbilt does actually have football players). Jordan Matthews, near the end of an already very productive game did this:

And then he did this, 2 plays (roughly 45 seconds) later:

Of course they did lose, they are Vanderbilt after all. But when a team shows its ability to play the full 60 minutes, you have to respect it and can't help but think they have (somewhat) brighter future ahead. 

10. The Rest 

Arkansas/Auburn/Kentucky/Miss St/Missouri. Gross.