We saw a glimpse of the Southeastern Conference football Saturday, and it didn’t disappoint.
The South Carolina-Georgia and Kentucky-Florida games were exactly what you want in SEC games. One featured two giants in a battle literally decided by inches, and the other proved no team in the conference should be taken lightly.
There are more conference games to come this Saturday, and it brings a few tears of happiness to my eyes.
1. Alabama (3-0, 0-0 SEC) (Prev. 1)
Chaos was all around college football last Saturday. The Tide kept rolling.
Alabama demolished Southern Mississippi 52-12 on Saturday, outgaining the Golden Eagles by nearly 300 yards. Senior quarterback Blake Sims continued his role as game manager, attempting only 17 passes but recording three touchdowns. His performance has looked fairly similar to LSU sophomore quarterback Anthony Jennings.
The lone question is still the defense, which could have allowed more points if Southern Miss had scored anything but field goals. It will get a small challenge this Saturday when Florida comes to Tuscaloosa, but don’t expect clear answers defensively for another few weeks.
2. Auburn (2-0, 1-0 SEC) (Prev. 3)
Auburn had a bye week last Saturday, but it faces a real threat Thursday night against Kansas State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Auburn has far more talent than the Wildcats, but I would never underestimate the coaching abilities of Bill Snyder. Midweek games are also tricky, and the KSU fans should be great, so I think we’ll learn a lot about how good Auburn can be.
3. LSU (3-0, 0-0 SEC) (Prev. 4)
What impresses me about the Tigers isn’t the near 10-quarter shutout that’s still ongoing — it’s the way they seem to care about these rent-a-win games.
For the past three years, I’ve seen LSU dominate easy teams but let in some garbage-time touchdown partially from a lack of concentration. This team looks different, which is impressive considering its youth.
There are four teams on LSU’s schedule currently in the top 10, so I’m interested to see if it keeps the same intensity through the SEC gauntlet.
4. Texas A&M (3-0, 1-0 SEC) (Prev. 5)
Every time a bell rings, sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill and the Aggies score another touchdown.
The Aggies posted 38 points on Rice last Saturday, which for them is considered a “low-scoring outing.” Coach Kevin Sumlin’s principle is simple — try to keep up with his team. It has worked so far, and it makes for must-see TV every week.
But A&M’s defense did show glimpses of its 2013 team Saturday, allowing the Owls more than 450 yards. The Aggies will need to adjust once conference play begins.
5. Ole Miss (3-0, 1-0 SEC) (Prev. 6)
The Rebels continue to slide up my rankings as other teams drop, but I’m still not convinced of their ability. Destroying University of Louisiana-Lafayette is something that should be celebrated in Ruston and really nowhere else.
This is the first time since 1971 that Ole Miss has started two consecutive seasons 3-0, so excuse me if I’m still concerned. The Rebels haven’t beaten Alabama in more than a decade, and I don’t expect anything different when they play Oct. 4.
6. South Carolina (2-1, 1-1 SEC) (Prev. 7)
Don’t bet against a desperate team, and don’t bet against Spurrier. I learned that the hard way Saturday.
The Gamecocks saved their season Saturday in a dramatic 38-35 win against University of Georgia. Senior quarterback Dylan Thompson made all the plays to keep South Carolina in front, and Georgia bailed out the Gamecocks with a missed field goal late in the fourth quarter.
There are three more ranked teams on South Carolina’s schedule, so I’d stay excited. Spurrier is one of a kind; his games can’t be missed.
7. Georgia (1-1, 0-1 SEC) (Prev. 2)
Being a Georgia fan must be like getting sucker-punched every September, being told things will be different next year and then getting socked again.
The loss to South Carolina was devastating, but Georgia’s chances of winning the SEC and making the College Football Playoff is still alive. It probably requires winning out the rest of the season, but the Bulldogs’ talent is there.
8. Missouri (3-0, 0-0 SEC) (Prev. 11)
University of Missouri is never going to dazzle you with freak athletes, but it can crush you by playing the game the right way. In an imposing 38-10 win against University of Central Florida, Mizzou broke away by dominating the turnover battle and staying efficient on third down.
This win made a statement that Mizzou is worthy of its preseason AP ranking and will compete again for the SEC East. Fans learned not to sleep on Mizzou last season, so let’s not make the same mistake twice.
9. Mississippi State (3-0, 0-0 SEC) (Prev. 9)
It’s almost a rule of thumb that you don’t move up after playing South Alabama, so Bulldogs fans can deal with it.
I will credit junior quarterback Dak Prescott, who continues to be one of the best athletes in the nation. He is saddled with an average supporting cast and a terrible pass defense, though, and that will keep Mississippi State from potential upsets this season.
10. Arkansas (2-1, 0-1 SEC) (Prev. 12)
Bret Bielema took the first step in the program he’s building at Arkansas with a 49-28 win at Texas Tech. The Hogs looked like Bielema’s old Wisconsin teams, recording more than 400 rushing yards and attempting only 12 passes.
Sophomore running back Alex Collins and junior running back Jonathan Williams are becoming a significant running threat, and Arkansas will be feisty for whomever it plays in the SEC. Unfortunately, most of those teams will be ranked, and the Hogs will still be overmatched.
11. Florida (2-0, 1-0 SEC) (Prev. 8)
I just hope Florida plays a dramatic game every week because watching Will Muschamp make crunch-time decisions is a spectacle. The triple-overtime 36-30 win against Kentucky probably gave Gators fans heart attacks, but it was high comedy here in Baton Rouge.
12. Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 SEC) (Prev. 13)
There might be a chance Kentucky is decent, and I’m having trouble reacting to it.
The Wildcats could have easily won the aforementioned thriller at Florida, and they will certainly win their next game against Vanderbilt in two weeks. Kentucky may make a bowl game this season, and its fans now have something to watch before basketball season.
13. Tennessee (2-1, 0-0 SEC) (Prev. 10)
The Volunteers looked impressive for almost two quarters at Oklahoma, hanging around with the Sooners until almost halftime. Then the Sooners realized who they were, and the Vols learned some lessons.
Coach Butch Davis is on the right track, and I think major improvements for this team are coming, just not this season. Tennessee will lose a few more times this season — it all depends on how they handle it.
14. Vanderbilt (1-2, 0-1 SEC)(Prev. 14)
Vandy is officially on the same level as UMass. Let that sink in.
Tommy Romanach is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Dallas, Texas. You can contact him on Twitter @troman28.