And then there were none.
Texas A&M’s upset of No. 1 Alabama last weekend leaves the Southeastern Conference with no undefeated teams.
I won’t sugarcoat it, this week of SEC football is a snoozer. Mississippi State hosting Arkansas is the league’s best match-up? Woof.
1. Georgia (9-1)
Who’s that coming down the track? A mean machine in red and black is the new No. 1 in my power rankings.
The Dawgs are playing their best football at the right time. Junior quarterback Aaron Murray and the Georgia offense is clicking on all cylinders and the defense has only allowed 19 points in its last three games.
Last Week: 2 (Beat Auburn 38-0)
2. LSU (8-2)
LSU at No. 2 this week exemplifies what my power rankings are all about.
Records and scores don’t matter. It’s all about who is playing the best from week to week.
LSU used its close loss to Alabama as motivation to prove what a quality team it is. Whatever bowl the Tigers end up in, I wouldn’t want to play them.
Last Week: 3 (Beat Mississippi State 37-17)
3. Alabama (9-1)
LSU got Alabama drunk, but Texas A&M got to take it home.
Johnny Football was too much for the Alabama defense exposed a week before in Tiger Stadium. But something tells me they’re now out of the national championship picture just yet.
Last Week: 1 (Lost to Texas A&M 29-24)
4. South Carolina (8-2)
I was impressed with the Gamecocks’ effort against Arkansas on Saturday in their first game since losing junior running back Marcus Lattimore.
This is still a dangerous football team moving forward. Unfortunately, they’ll probably destroy a totally overmatched opponent in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Last Week: 5 (Beat Arkansas 38-20)
5. Texas A&M (8-2)
So who said Texas A&M isn’t ready to compete with the big boys in the SEC? That would be me.
Johnny Football proved me wrong as he scorched the Alabama defense for 345 total yards and two touchdowns. I wouldn’t be surprised with the Aggies’ recent surge and Manziel’s popularity if Texas A&M doesn’t get picked for a BCS at-large bowl.
Last Week: 6 (Beat Alabama 29-24)
6. Florida (9-1)
The Ragin’ Cajuns were a punt away from taking the Gators to overtime. Then Florida defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy blocked it and Jelani Jenkins returned it for a touchdown allowing the Gators to escape with a victory.
That being said, Florida is in a rut. If it continues the sloppy play against a quality opponent, it won’t be as lucky as last week.
Last Week: 4 (Beat Louisiana-Lafayette 27-20)
7. Vanderbilt (6-4)
And the winner of the “Battle for Bowl Eligibility” is the Commodores.
With a favorable schedule the rest of the way, Vandy could win eight games. If that happens, say bye-bye to coach James Franklin.
Last Week: 9 (Beat Ole Miss 27-26)
8. Mississippi State (7-3)
Remember when Mississippi State was undefeated and No. 11 in the country? It seems like forever ago.
Now the Bulldogs must try to regroup as Arkansas comes to town this weekend. They haven’t scored more than 20 points since Oct. 20.
Last Week: 7 (Lost to LSU 37-17)
9. Ole Miss (5-5)
Ole Miss has to be kicking itself for allowing a chance to become bowl eligible slip away at home against Vandy.
Don’t expect that sixth win to come against LSU. Better luck in the Egg Bowl.
Last Week: 8 (Lost to Vanderbilt 27-26)
10. Missouri (5-5)
It took four overtimes for Mizzou to put away Tennessee? The Tigers must really be bad.
Last Week: 11 (Beat Tennessee 51-48)
11. Arkansas (4-6)
Regarding applications for the Arkansas head football coach, please send résumé and references to…
Last Week: 10 (Lost to South Carolina 38-20)
12. Tennessee (4-6)
To add insult to the pathetic excuse of a season Tennessee has had, quarterback Tyler Bray told the media this week, “I get paid to win football games.”
Apparently not that much.
Last Week: 12 (Lost to Missouri 51-48)
13. Kentucky (1-9)
The only reason the Wildcats aren’t No. 14 again this week is because they scored as many points as Auburn. Except Kentucky had the week off.
Last Week: 14 (bye)
14. Auburn (2-8)
Apparently coach Gene Chizik told visiting recruits he and his staff aren’t going anywhere. He meant they’re not leaving town before they find new jobs, right?
Last Week: 13 (Lost to Georgia 38-0)
Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray (11) scrambles for a first down against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
