The Southeastern Conference is proving to be a top-heavy conference. There is one outstanding team on top, a number of decent to good teams behind them and then the bottom falls out and nothing but sad excuses for football teams are left.
Here’s a rundown on which teams are which.
1. Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC)
It is more likely than not that Alabama’s four October opponents (Georgia State, Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee) will all finish winless for the month. The only winnable games for the bunch is Kentucky going to Starkville or a winless Georgia State beating Texas State.
The Tide has done enough to remain at the top on reputation, but if they do have any weaknesses, the parade of cupcakes they’ve played haven’t been able to do anything about it.
Last Week: 1
2. LSU (6-1, 3-1 SEC)
In a major development, the LSU defense proved capable of being the hammer. The Tigers may have turned a corner defensively, allowing just nine points in their last six quarters.
LSU proved capable of grinding out a victory against a tough defense. The unit is supremely balanced, and with a defense showing signs of life, the Tigers look like the biggest threat to Alabama.
Last Week: 4
3. Texas A&M (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
Johnny Manziel committed a couple of turnovers that dug the Aggies a hole in Oxford on Saturday. But then Johnny Football, knee brace and all, rose up and drove his team down the field for the game-tying touchdown and the game-winning field goal.
Manziel can overcome any of the Aggies’ deficiencies and single-handedly makes A&M capable of beating any team on any given day.
Last Week: 2
4. South Carolina (5-1, 3-1 SEC)
With Connor Shaw and Jadeveon Clowney both healthy again, the Gamecocks went into Arkansas and routed the Razorbacks on Saturday. With the injuries suffered by the other SEC East teams, South Carolina currently stands as the favorite to get to Atlanta.
Last Week: 7
5. Missouri (6-0, 2-0 SEC)
An undefeated record capped off with a huge win at Georgia had the Tigers poised to vault into the top three, but James Franklin’s shoulder separation stunted their ascension. He won’t be able to play against South Carolina and Florida the next two weeks, and his absence severely dampens their prospects of winning those games.
Last Week: 6
6. Georgia (4-2, 3-1 SEC)
Aaron Murray is great, but just about every one of his skill position players are out with an injury. The Bulldogs are as banged up as any team and injuries have effectively killed their national title aspirations.
Last Week: 3
7. Auburn (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
Auburn has quietly had a good season so far. If the Tigers go into College Station and beat Johnny Football, it won’t be so quiet anymore.
Last Week: 8
8. Florida (4-2, 3-1 SEC)
The Gators are a waste of a good defense. Florida gets enough stops to keep itself in games, but a 17-6 loss to LSU on Saturday proved its offense can’t move the ball against an average defense.
Last Week: 5
9. Ole Miss (3-3, 1-3 SEC)
The Rebel Black Bears are losers of three in a row and have a defense decimated by injury. I’d like to drop Ole Miss lower, but the five teams behind them have all failed to win an SEC game.
Last Week: 9
10. Mississippi State (3-3, 0-2 SEC)
The Bulldogs have at least been competitive in their two SEC losses. That isn’t saying much, but it puts them ahead of the other four winless squads.
Last Week: 10
11. Tennessee (3-3, 0-2 SEC)
Tennessee almost upset Georgia two weeks ago. It’s really splitting hairs trying to differentiate between which terrible team is worse.
Last Week: 11
12. Vanderbilt (3-3, 0-3 SEC)
The Commodores play three ranked teams in the next three weeks. Unless they beat one of those superior opponents, they are an upset away from being one of the more surprising teams to end up not bowl eligible in some time.
Last Week: 12
13. Arkansas (3-4, 0-3 SEC)
Arkansas is the next sacrificial lamb scheduled for a trip to Tuscaloosa. Considering Bret Bielema talked trash about Nick Saban during the summer, expect this game to get ugly in a hurry. Saban has a history of harshly dealing with dissenters on the field.
Last Week: 13
14. Kentucky (1-5, 0-3 SEC)
Midnight Madness in Rupp Arena is scheduled for Friday. I doubt anyone will even notice the football team has a bye week.
Last Week: 14
James Moran is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Beacon, N.Y.