And we’re off. 
Week 1 is in the rearview mirror, and what a first week it was. The Tide rolled, two sets of Tigers made statements and Johnny Manziel pissed off a whole bunch of people. 
Here’s where we stand. 
1. Alabama (1-0)
The Tide struggled offensively, gave up a long touchdown run and still won handily against Virginia Tech, 35-10. Alabama scored three non-offensive touchdowns, includingboth  a kickoff and a punt return by Christion Jones. 
The Alabama offensive line struggled, but I think they will jell and improve as the season goes on. If we saw anything this week, it’s that the Tide can beat you in even more ways than it could last season. That’s why they remain at the top. 
Last Week: 1
2. Texas A&M (1-0)
Johnny Manziel threw only eight passes in the Aggies’ 52-31 victory against Rice, but he was the entire story on Saturday. After sitting the first half, Johnny Football began the second half with three touchdown passes in four drives before being pulled from the game after taunting Rice defenders. 
The A&M defense struggled, but as long as Manziel is playing, the Aggies will be contenders. No matter how much controversy he creates, you can bet coach Kevin Sumlin will have the most electrifying man in college football under center when Alabama comes calling in two weeks. 
Last Week: 3
3. South Carolina (1-0)
Jadeveon Clowney had a quiet first week, but the Gamecocks defense stifled North Carolina and the offense made enough big plays to secure a 27-10 victory. We’ll find out exactly how good the Gamecocks are next week when they take a trip to Athens to play Georgia.
Last Week: 4
4. LSU (1-0)
LSU showed tremendous signs of growth in Week 1. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger played well, and the Tigers defeated TCU 37-27 in a game that was more one-sided than the score indicates. 
Sophomore running back Jeremy Hill was withheld from play, but the Tigers got a spark in the form of 95 rushing yards and two touchdowns from junior running back Terrence Magee. The Tigers struggled a bit in the red zone, but overall, you have to like what you saw from LSU in Dallas. 
Last Week: 5
5. Georgia (0-1) 
Georgia began the season with a tough 38-35 defeat at Clemson. Running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall played great, but through one week, the Georgia defense has failed to replace the talent it lost from last season’s team.
Last Week: 2
6. Florida (1-0)
The Gators didn’t stub their toe in a workmen-like 24-6 victory against Toledo, but beating Toledo isn’t enough for the Gators to move up. Junior quarterback Jeff Driskel still needs to show me more to make me a believer. 
Last Week: 6
7. Ole Miss (1-0, 1-0 SEC)
The Rebel Black Bears needed a 75-yard-touchdown run from senior Jeff Scott in the last minutes of regulation to secure a thrilling 39-35 victory at Vanderbilt. 
Quarterback Bo Wallace and the crop of freshmen starters looked impressive, but star linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche’s injury keeps Ole Miss from rising in these rankings. 
Last week: 7
8. Vanderbilt (0-1, 0-1 SEC)
The Commodores lost a heartbreaking home opener to Ole Miss, but I still left them at No. 8 this week. Their offense will improve as first-year starting quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels gains experience and Jordan Matthews is a great weapon on the outside. 
Last Week: 8
9. Auburn (1-0)
Auburn survived Washington State with a 31-24 victory. It’s not much, but it’s progress on the Plains. 
Last Week: 9
10. Missouri (1-0)
Missouri is a different team with a healthy James Franklin at quarterback. He threw three touchdowns in the Tigers’ season-opening 58-14 victory against Murray State, but that is nowhere near enough to justify moving them up in the rankings. 
Last Week: 10
11. Tennessee (1-0)
Tennessee began the Butch Jones era with a 45-0 victory against FCS foe Austin Peay State University. The Vols may have found their quarterback in junior Justin Worley, who threw three touchdowns in the opener, but don’t forget it was against Austin Peay. 
Last Week: 11
12. Mississippi State (0-1)
MississippiState hung tough in the first half before falling 21-3 in its opener against Oklahoma State. The
Bulldogs offense looked bad with Tyler Russell at quarterback, and with him hurt, they looked downright putrid. If he misses any time, you can expect the Bulldogs offense to keep struggling. 
Last Week: 12
13. Arkansas (1-0)
Arkansas began its season with a 34-14 victory against UL-Lafayette. I’m not impressed. 
Last Week: 13
14. Kentucky (0-1) 
The Mark Stoops era began with a thud in the form of 36-25 loss to Western Kentucky. The Wildcats should just stop playing tackle football. 
Last Week: 14