2014 SEC Power Rankings – Week Two

SEC East

1. Georgia Bulldogs – Todd Gurley single-handedly beat one of the top ACC teams in the Clemson Tigers by rushing for nearly 200 yards and returning a kickoff for a touchdown. Just imagine what they’ll look like when everybody else gets in sync? Georgia looks primed to jump up on the rest of the East division.

Next game: Georgia is off this weekend but an early SEC East showdown with South Carolina on September 13th looms large.

2. South Carolina – Sure, they got their butts whipped 52-28 by Texas A&M, but at this point they’re still the second best team in the East division. Though that could change quickly as they’ve got one week to get the kinks out before Georgia comes to town.

Next game: The Gamecocks expect to get back on track against East Carolina on September 6th.

3. Missouri – The Maty Mauk era in Columbia got off to a great start as they were 38-18 winners over South Dakota State on Saturday and look to be in great shape this week for another victory.

Next game: The Tigers travel to Toledo on September 6th for a 12:00pm ET matchup with the Rockets.

4.  Tennessee – The Butch Jones “brick by brick” philosophy is starting to take shape. Questions remain though as they’re replacing every starter on both the offensive and defensive line this year. Things could get ugly for the Volunteers as the season rolls on.

Next game: A home game this Saturday against Arkansas State provides a final and easy tuneup before a big game in Norman, Oklahoma.

5. Kentucky – Kentucky says hello. Maybe Kentucky isn’t just a basketball school anymore. Or maybe that’s just because they played UT-Martin. We’ll know more for sure in two weeks.

Next game: The Wildcats will face a slightly more difficult challenge as the Ohio Bobcats roll into Lexington on September 6th.

6. Vanderbilt – Wasn’t the James Franklin era fun? A 37-7 loss to Temple wasn’t the best of ways to break in a new coaching staff. Things don’t look too good this week either.

Next game: One of the better SEC West teams come to Nashville on September 6th in the Ole Miss Rebels.

N/A. Florida – The Gators’ season opening game against the Idaho Vandals was “terminated” due to unsafe playing conditions caused by lightning, rain and more rain. We’ll see how the Gators look this weekend before coming to any conclusions.

Next game: What looks like to be an easy game against Eastern Michigan on September 6th in The Swamp.

SEC West

1. Alabama – Until they get beat by a team that doesn’t return a missed field goal over 100 yards, they’re still the top team in the SEC West and possibly the entire SEC. A season opening win against West Virginia exposed a couple of weaknesses, but if any coach can overcome a few weaknesses it’s Nick Saban.

Next game: The Florida Atlantic Owls travel to Tuscaloosa on September 6th as the Crimson Tide look likely to improve to 2-0 on the season.

2. Texas A&M – It’s a close call between the Aggies and the Auburn Tigers for the No. 2 spot, but beating a top 10 team to start the year is as good of a tiebreaker as I can think of. Johnny Football who? Kenny Hill, that’s who.

Next game: An easy win against Lamar in College Station on September 6th.

3. Auburn – A nice win against Arkansas to begin the year to shake off the sting of last year’s BCS National Championship Game loss to Florida State was good. Things will be easier this week, but a possible top 15-20 matchup at Kansas State is just two and a half weeks away.  

Next game: San Jose State on September 6th.

4. LSU – A come from behind victory against the Wisconsin Badgers in what was one of the better games of the opening weekend. LSU scored 21 straight points against a team that many expect to be in the hunt for the Big 10 crown. The Tigers’ secondary looked scary good.

Next game: Sam Houston State comes to Baton Rouge on September 6th. And yes, I like LSU to win. Big.

5. Ole Miss – The good news: Bo Wallace threw for nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns in their season opening 35-13 win against Boise State. The bad news: Wallace also threw three interceptions and the running game was nonexistent. Still though, they’ve got to be considered the favorites this week against Vanderbilt.

Next game: A trip to Music City on September 6th against Vanderbilt.

6. Mississippi State – There is a big drop off between No’s 5 and 6 here as the Bulldogs aren’t nearly in the same class as their in-state rivals are. They did beat up on a Southern Miss team that has gone a combine 1-23 since 2012 though. So that’s gotta feel good, right?

Next game: UAB comes to Starkville on September 6th as the Bulldogs surely look to improve to 2-0 on the season.

7. Arkansas – The Razorbacks were the only team in the SEC West division to lose on opening weekend as they lost 45-21 to the Auburn Tigers. Bonus points are available to anybody who can name three players on the Razorbacks roster aside from Brandon Allen.

Next game: A sure win (one would hope) against Nicholls State on September 6th. 

---

Nolan Mucciarone of Alligator Army provides the information for our weekly 2014 SEC Power Rankings. You can follow Nolan on Twitter  @AA_FlaGators.

 

---