1. Alabama (9-0)
Coach Nick Saban knows how tough it is to escape Tiger Stadium with a win. Despite getting shut down for the majority of the second half, quarterback AJ McCarron and the Alabama offense made a five-play, 72-yard drive look like clockwork in the last two minutes.
We’ll see how the Crimson Tide deals with Johnny Football. So far this season, only LSU has managed to contain the six-time Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week.
Last Week: 1 (Beat LSU 21-17)
2. Georgia (8-1)
If Georgia keeps rolling along like it did against Ole Miss, all signs point to the SEC Championship in Atlanta. The Dawgs’ defense shut out the Rebel Black Bears in the second half, limiting their potent offense to only 234 yards.
This weekend’s game on the road against Auburn can be summed up pretty quickly — Georgia’s good at scoring points. Auburn isn’t.
Last Week: 3 (Beat Ole Miss 37-10)
3. LSU (7-2)
The Tigers hate losing to Alabama any time it happens. They hate giving away a game in the final two minutes against the No. 1 ranked team in the country even more.
Two losses eliminate LSU from the national championship conversation, but I expect the Tigers to take their anger out on Mississippi State on Saturday night.
Last Week: 2 (Lost to Alabama 21-17)
4. Florida (8-1)
I’m officially putting the Gators on upset alert against Louisiana-Lafayette (not the University of Louisiana). They’ve only combined for 23 points on the scoreboard their past two times out and looked sloppy against less-than-stellar Mizzou this weekend.
The Ragin’ Cajuns beat a quality UL-Monroe team on the road this weekend and score 35 points a game. Don’t be surprised to see Florida sleepwalking in this before-noon kickoff.
Last Week: 4 (Beat Missouri 14-7)
5. South Carolina (7-2)
After losing running back Marcus Lattimore against Tennessee the week before, the Gamecocks needed a bye to put together an offensive gameplan without him.
Going up against Arkansas this weekend is the perfect time to test it out. The Razorbacks have some offensive deficiencies of their own.
Last Week: 5 (Bye)
6. Texas A&M (7-2)
Johnny Football decided to change it up a little bit against Mississippi State. While he still made plays with his legs, the real story of Manziel’s performance was his efficient arm, completing 30 of 36 balls for 311 yards.
Doing that against the Bulldogs and Auburn the past two weeks is nice, but Alabama’s defense is a completely different monster.
Last Week: 6 (Beat Mississippi State 38-13)
7. Mississippi State (7-2)
Feel free to start the “overrated” chant anytime now.
Getting completely throttled by Texas A&M makes it two weeks in a row that Mississippi State has given up 38 points. Their back-loaded schedule made the Bulldogs look great in September, but with a visit to Tiger Stadium scheduled for this weekend, they are going to be begging for November to be over.
Last Week: 7 (Lost to Texas A&M 38-13)
8. Ole Miss (5-4)
I’m calling the tussle between Ole Miss and Vanderbilt the “Battle for Bowl Eligibility.” Whoever wins qualifies for a bowl berth, something neither could say last season.
May the best mediocre team win.
Last Week: 8 (Lost to Georgia 37-10)
9. Vanderbilt (5-4)
Give Vanderbilt some credit.
A shutout is a shutout. Even if it’s against Kentucky.
Last Week: 9 (Beat Kentucky 40-0)
10. Arkansas (4-5)
Arkansas liberals aren’t screaming, “Four More Years!” for re-elected president Barack Obama, they’re yelling, “Three more weeks!”
As in, we only have to watch three more Arkansas football games.
Last Week: 10 (Beat Tulsa 19-15)
11. Missouri (4-5)
The Tigers only lost by seven to Florida in The Swamp. Where’s the “good job, good effort” kid when you need him?
Last Week: 12 (Lost to Florida 14-7)
12. Tennessee (4-5)
It’s pretty embarrassing the Vols only beat lowly Troy by seven points when quarterback Tyler Bray threw for 530 yards. Then again, embarrassing pretty much sums up Tennessee’s season.
Last Week: 11 (Beat Troy 55-48)
13. Auburn (2-7)
“After Auburn’s impressive showing against New Mexico State, I’m back on the Gene Chizik bandwagon,” said no one ever.
Last Week: 14 (Beat New Mexico State 42-7)
14. Kentucky (1-9)
Poor Joker Phillips. He has to coach Kentucky’s last two games despite already being fired.
Hasn’t the man suffered enough?
Last Week: 13 (Lost to Vanderbilt 40-0)
