And then there were two.
With LSU and Ole Miss losing, Alabama and Missouri are the only Southeastern Conference teams that remain undefeated heading into October. One is a level above everyone else in the country, and the other has yet to be tested at all.
Here’s where all 14 teams stand top to bottom.
1. Alabama (4-0, 2-0 SEC)
After giving up 42 points to Texas A&M last month, some doubts arose about the Tide defense. Nick Saban and company violently suppressed any concerns with a
25-0 throttling of a good Ole Miss
offense.
With the Aggies and Rebel Black Bears in their wake, the Tide will easily roll through unranked opponents until a Nov. 9 visit from LSU.
Last Week: 1
2. Georgia (3-1, 2-0 SEC)
Even without the services of Todd Gurley for most of the game, Aaron Murray led the Bulldogs to a 44-41 shootout against LSU. With two victories over top-10 opponents already this season, Murray has proved he is more than capable of winning big games.
Georgia is undefeated in the conference and has the easiest road to the SEC Championship Game with Florida as the only ranked opponent left on its schedule.
Last Week: 4
3. Texas A&M (4-1, 1-1 SEC)
After watching Alabama shut out Ole Miss, the 42 points Johnny Manziel put up against the Tide look all the more impressive.
The Aggie defense is awful, but if Alabama couldn’t slow down its offense, no one else will. And in any shootout situation, my money is on Johnny Football.
Last Week: 3
4. LSU (4-1, 1-1 SEC)
There was good news and bad news for the Tigers following their trip to Athens.
The good news is the LSU offense again proved itself to be an elite unit. But the bad news is the Tiger defense is worse than anyone could have imagined.
The defensive line couldn’t generate a pass rush, the linebackers couldn’t tackle in the running game and the secondary looked lost in coverage. All of the Tigers’ goals are still attainable, but not if the defense doesn’t make major improvements going forward.
Last week: 2
5. Florida (3-1, 2-0 SEC)
The Florida offense has looked much better with Tyler Murphy at quarterback. He’s by no means a great passer, but he’s stabilized the offense and helped get the running game back on track.
With their lone loss coming outside the conference, the Gators could be the only team with a chance to wrestle the SEC East away from Georgia.
Last Week: 6
6. Ole Miss (3-1, 1-1 SEC)
Alabama proved the Rebel Black Bears aren’t ready to join the elite ranks of the SEC, but quarterback Bo Wallace and their offense is a lot better than they looked on Saturday. Aside from allowing a pair of long runs, the Ole Miss defense played well against the Tide.
Last Week: 5
7. South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC)
Running back Mike Davis played the hero role, scoring three touchdowns to help the Gamecocks hold off UCF, 28-25.
However, starting quarterback Connor Shaw left the game with a shoulder injury and backup Dylan Thompson did not look ready to lead the offense. Shaw is expected to miss at least two weeks.
Last Week: 7
8. Missouri (4-0)
The Tigers have the No. 9 scoring offense in the country after another lopsided victory, but to call their schedule cupcake would be an insult to sugary treats.
Things are about to get a lot tougher in a hurry. Missouri finally begins SEC play with a visit to Vanderbilt this Saturday before playing three ranked opponents in as many weeks.
Last Week: 9
9. Auburn (3-1, 1-1 SEC)
After losing in Baton Rouge two weeks ago, Auburn had a bye week to rebound and prepare for a visit from Ole Miss this Saturday. As long as it doesn’t rain, expect quarterback Nick Marshall to continue playing well going forward.
Last Week: 8
10. Vanderbilt (3-2, 0-2 SEC)
Disciplinary problems and two early season losses have taken some of the shine off what was supposed to be a big year for Vanderbilt.
The Commodores need to start winning games if they want to get their season back on track, and Missouri this week is a great place to start as Georgia, Texas A&M and Florida loom.
Last Week: 10
11. Arkansas (3-2, 0-1 SEC)
The Razorback offense was able to keep pace with Texas A&M for a while last week, but their defense couldn’t get a stop when they needed it. But against Johnny Football, what defense really could?
Last Week: 13
12. Mississippi State (2-2, 0-1 SEC)
The State defense has actually put up good numbers this season, allowing just 14.8 points per game. But since the Bulldogs’ only victories this season have come against Alcorn State and Troy, expect that number to go up as the fighting cowbells welcome a high-powered LSU offense looking to prove it has gotten over a tough loss against Georgia.
Last Week: 12
13. Tennessee (3-2, 0-1 SEC)
The Vols allowed 17 unanswered points in the second half and had to cling for dear life to preserve a seven point victory against South Alabama. That kind of ineptitude speaks for itself.
Last Week: 11
14. Kentucky (1-3, 0-1 SEC)
What do the Wildcats have in common with a 45-year-old man who still lives at home with his parents?
Neither one is ever moving out of the basement.
Last week: 14
James Moran is a 21-year-old mass communications senior from Beacon, N.Y.