My brothers and sisters the wait is finally over — football has
returned.
Week one is here, and with the return of football, comes the return of Southeastern Conference Power Rankings. I know we all have yet to see a single down this season, but here is where I see all 14 teams heading into the season.  
1. Alabama
The top spot in the conference belongs to the Crimson Tide until someone rises up and takes it from them. 
The winners of three of the last four BCS National Championships return a loaded roster led by senior quarterback A.J. McCarron, and Nick Saban isn’t about to let his team get complacent. 
2. Georgia
The Bulldogs should be strong heading into 2013 after falling seconds short of a conference championship in 2012. 
Aaron Murray is an elite quarterback and the two-headed monster of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall is the best running back tandem in the country. The Bulldogs lost a lot on defense, but the offense should have enough firepower to pick up the slack. 
3. Texas A&M
Until I’m told otherwise, Johnny Manziel is still the starting quarterback, and the Aggies are still major contenders to win the SEC West. We’ll find out exactly how good Texas A&M is when Alabama rolls into College Station on
Sept. 14. 
4. South Carolina
Jadeveon Clowney is the scariest man in the country. Other players are afraid of him, and they should be. 
Senior signal caller Connor Shaw leads the offense, and the Gamecocks should have enough punch to contend with Georgia and Florida in the SEC
East. 
5. LSU
I start LSU at No. 5 because of their inexperienced defense. The Tigers have as much talent as anyone in the conference, and this team will shoot up the rankings if that talent clicks.
The running game will be good with Jeremy Hill and Alfred Blue, but the offensive key is Zach Mettenberger improving. If he grows, LSU has a legitimate shot to win the West. 
6. Florida
The Gators need junior quarterback Jeff Driskel to step up to win the SEC East, and I don’t think he is anything more than a game manager. That plus losses on the defensive line equals a third place finish in the east for Will Muschamp and company. 
7. Ole Miss
A big time recruiting class has optimism on the rise in Oxford, but a lack of depth on defense will keep the Rebels from being an elite team. 
Quarterback Bo Wallace leads a high-powered offense and has the best hair in the SEC by far. 
8. Vanderbilt
I love what coach James Franklin has done with this program, but if star receiver Chris Boyd gets suspended, the Commodores lose a big part of their offensive attack and could struggle. 
9. Auburn
Gus Malzahn takes the helm on the Plains, and Kiehl Frazier moved from quarterback to defensive back. That can only spell improvement for Auburn. 
10. Missouri
Missouri was dreadful last year, but should be better if quarterback James Franklin is healthy. However, there is a difference between being better and being good — the Tigers still won’t be good. 
11. Tennessee
New coach Butch Jones sounds like he has a plan to return past glory to Rocky Top, but it won’t be this year.
12. Mississippi State
Coach Dan Mullen said the Bulldogs’ roster has just 10 seniors when he spoke at SEC Media Days. Good luck with that. 
13. Arkansas
Bret Bielema’s mouth painted a target on his back that his team can’t match. This season will be one big pig roast, and the former Wisconsin coach will be the main course. 
14. Kentucky
What’s a football?