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Here are your SEC Rankings after Week 2. If anything; it’s more jumbled than preseason. I give a reason for the Rankings plus a little info into next week. The number change is the change is from my preseason rankings you can find at the Forkball. Here goes!
16. Kentucky -3
Quarterback Zach Calzada is very inconsistent so far. In fact, according to CFBStats Kentucky is the only SEC squad without a TD pass. Despite holding it close at home against Ole Miss early, they are last. That’s because….
15. NC Arkansas
Has successfully navigated cupcake season. That’s right, two consecutive six touchdown wins against very weak competition. Taylen Green has almost 600 passing yards in the first 2 games.With almost 600 total yards per game Arkansas ranks fifth nationally. We’ll see how the Razorbacks do going from playing Arkansas State to traveling to Oxford.
14. +1 Vanderbilt
Put a beating on the ACC’s Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, VA. Vanderbilt was in control throughout, and Diego Pava continues last year’s heroics at QB. This is topped off by Vanderbilt’s defense, which is sixth in the country currently. Only gained 3. one spot, that’s because….
13. +3 Mississippi State
Beat a top-20 ranked Arizona State in Starkville. Blake Shapen threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brenen Thompson with 30 seconds left, leading to a 24-20 Mississippi State win. I bumped Mississippi State up several spots. I’ve been watching the SEC long enough not to be overly impressed with beating a West Coast team at home. (That’s no disrespect towards the Bulldogs, just a frank admission of the SEC strength).
12. -1 Florida
The Gators lost on a last-second field goal by the South Florida Bulls, final 18-16. South Florida was fresh off a 34-7 demolition of Boise State on opening weekend. The Gators shouldn’t be in the bottom 4 (yet) because we don’t know how South Florida might finish. Also, wouldn’t be the first SEC team to stub their toe in a close game the week before their biggest rivalry game.
11. +1 Missouri
The Mizzou Tigers were not overwhelming last week against a low ranked Big 12 Team. They defeated Kansas by less than 2 touchdowns despite being utterly dominant in time of possession and total yards. They were hurt by penalties, and a scoop—and-score off a QB Pribula fumble. They’ll need to minimize mistakes by conference play; but the tools are all there.
10. -1 Auburn
Had a solid first week beating Baylor. The two-touchdown victory looks great but Baylor threw for over 400 against the Auburn D. Ball State of course was no challenge. Now we’ll see if Auburn is better than a middle-of-the-pack team once conference play starts. Jackson Arnold has been a solid quarterback to this point.
9. -2 South Carolina
Still perceived as an upper-tier program. The Virginia Tech win was tarnished by the fact Vanderbilt won against VT, and more decisively. South Carolina State was no judge for how good the program is. However, with Alabama, Tennessee and others dropping 60-point wins, the 28-point victory last weekend looks hollow. Coach Shane Beamer should have the team going in the right direction. Plus they’re still highly ranked in the AP poll.
8. NC Ole Miss
Edged them over South Carolina because they looked impressive in finishing off Kentucky. Despite a 2-0 record Ole Miss struggled in the only conference game last weekend. Coach Kiffin has bigger worries, as starting QB Austin Simmons went off the field in the second half with a leg injury. Mid-week he hasn’t been declared out or available for the next game.
7. -3 Alabama
The expected “revenge game” was a 73-0 clobbering of Louisiana Monroe. Amazingly, QB Ty Simpson went 17-17 in the game. Competition aside, it’s difficult doing that in an empty stadium. The Florida State loss in game 1 will sting a while, but with the talent they shouldn’t be written off yet. (Regardless of what the “Restless” in Tuscaloosa will tell you)
6. +4 Oklahoma
It’s been 49 years since the University of Michigan has played Oklahoma. With the Oklahoma hospitality, it’s probably going to be 49 more. The Wolverines were dominated, and Oklahoma QB Josh Mateer was named SEC offensive player of the week. A long way to go in the season, but a great QB and a veteran coach can take you places. Should be moving further up our list.
5. NC Texas A&M
This is a team in the top 5-10 nationally in NIL. Texas A &M is the only one on this list to play 2 solid opponents. Beating Utah State and UTSA is not sexy, but they’re both competitive and can cause early season problems. Not for the Aggies though. Texas A&M has an important non-conference game this week against Notre Dame. That will shake things out in the SEC power matrix.
4. -3 Texas
Not going to fall for the obvious bounce-back game for Texas. I will point out Sarkisian has a defense that cause 4 turnovers within a 6 minute span. The Texas offense converted all four for Manning TD passes; he added another rushing TD later. The offense struggled to make it a pounding-down, though, like Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee did against their lesser opponents.
3. + 3 Tennessee
Joey “Swag-uilar” might be the best QB nickname ever. He looks confident poised, and brilliant out there. Coach Heupel looks like a genius in the “QB swap”. SEC stats bear out that Tennessee is #1 in passing yards per game. Gameday is in Knoxville this week; we’ll find out if the Vols are for real against Georgia. Last “Gameday” in Knoxville against Georgia was 1995 QB Peyton Manning vs QB Hines Ward. (Yes, the WR from Pittsburgh. They each went forward to win Super Bowl MVP once).
2. +1 LSU
The Tigers defeated Clemson in week 1. The win was diminished slightly as Clemson struggled again in Week 2. LSU’s defense has been key, with team speed and a returning defensive coordinator gelling in his second year. The Tigers are top 15 nationally in yards per gain and also scoring defense (17 points in the games combined.)
+1 Georgia
Coach Kirby Smart has a reputation to protect and the game in Knoxville in front of a hungry nationwide audience is his chance. Competition has been light but only 13 points given up by the highly recruited defense. Gunner Stockton has been dependable, but he’s not gone against a defense as aggressive as Tennessee’s next week.
I hope you got some good information. The SEC changes every week, but especially this week. Email me @[email protected]. Follow me on twitter, my handle is #Ajayxemem.
