Alabama and Florida confirmed their Southeastern Conference superiority with dominant outings on Saturday to remain undefeated. This week, the matchup in Jacksonville, Fla. between the Gators and the Dawgs will likely determine who represents the SEC East in the SEC Championship.
1. Alabama (7-0)
Don’t tell coach Nick Saban his quarterback A.J. McCarron is now a dark-horse in the race for the Heisman Trophy — he isn’t buying it yet. But I am.
McCarron threw for four touchdowns against Tennessee and has amassed 16 touchdowns through the air this season without throwing an interception. If he can continue his aerial success in the Crimson Tide’s next two outings against Mississippi State and LSU, the rest of the nation will take notice.
Last Week: 1 (Beat Tennessee 44-13)
2. Florida (7-0)
Who says you have to have a high-octane offense to run up the score?
Florida used four turnovers while only gaining 183 yards of total offense to run away from the Gamecocks in The Swamp. Coach Will Muschamp has the Gators firing on all cylinders heading into the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
Last Week: 2 (Beat South Carolina 44-11)
3. LSU (7-1)
The LSU defense turned Johnny Football into Johnny Turnover and introduced linebacker Kevin Minter as the new face of the LSU defense. That’s all you need to know about the Tigers’ performance against Texas A&M.
Of all the teams in the SEC, the Tigers needed this bye week the most, especially considering No. 1 Alabama comes to town next weekend.
Last Week: 3 (Beat Texas A&M 24-19)
4. South Carolina (6-2)
I bet the Ol’ Ball Coach is tired of playing top-10 teams. His Gamecocks squad had to play Georgia, LSU and Florida in three consecutive weeks, producing a 1-2 record in those contests.
After their win against Georgia, it looked like South Carolina was destined for the SEC Championship. Now, not so much.
Last Week: 4 (Lost to Florida 44-11)
5. Georgia (6-1)
What was supposed to be a tune-up game against Kentucky turned out to be a closer than expected result. Georgia gunslinger Aaron Murray put on a passing clinic, throwing for 427 yards and four scores.
The Dawgs defense, who has left much to be desired in its last two outings, will have to step up against the Gators in Jacksonville, Fla. this Saturday.
Last Week: 5 (Beat Kentucky 29-24)
6. Mississippi State (7-0)
Finally, Mississippi State faces off against Alabama in Tuscaloosa this weekend. The Bulldogs’ performance will finally let us know if this undefeated start was a fluke or not.
The Crimson Tide open as a 24-point favorite against the Bulldogs. If that isn’t motivation enough for coach Dan Mullen’s squad to come out swinging, I don’t know what is.
Last Week: 6 (Beat Middle Tennessee State 45-3)
7. Texas A&M (5-2)
Quarterback Johnny Manziel threw three interceptions into the hands of the LSU defense and couldn’t sustain the momentum he had from a big first quarter.
I would say the Aggies need to forget about last week and focus on this week, but they play Auburn. I don’t lie.
Last Week: 7 (Lost to LSU 24-19)
8. Ole Miss (4-3)
There’s a buzz around the Ole Miss football program. Sure, the Rebel Black Bears just won their first SEC game in two years, but coach Hugh Freeze has them moving in the right direction. They’ve scored more points already this season than in the entire 2011 campaign.
Last Week: 8 (Bye)
9. Arkansas (3-4)
The big question is: If Arkansas makes a bowl game, will coach John L. Smith only be determined to win it so he can steal the winnings and take a chunk out of his $40 million debt?
Last Week: 10 (Bye)
10. Vanderbilt (3-4)
Don’t look now, but the Commodores have risen from the cellar of the SEC East. Vanderbilt now has two SEC wins after beating Auburn and takes on winless FCS opponent Massachusetts this week.
Last Week: 11 (Beat Auburn 17-13)
11. Tennessee (3-4)
Coach Derek Dooley hasn’t beaten a top-25 ranked team since he’s been at Tennessee or beaten an SEC team this year.
It’s time for Tennessee to show Dooley and his orange pants the door.
Last Week: 9 (Lost to Alabama 44-13)
12. Missouri (3-4)
Seriously Missouri, the SEC will send you back to the Big 12 if you lose to Kentucky at home Saturday.
Last Week: 12 (bye)
13. Auburn (1-6)
I thought Auburn’s season couldn’t get any worse. Then the Tigers lost to Vanderbilt.
Last Week: 13 (Lost to Vanderbilt 17-13)
14. Kentucky (1-7)
Have you seen “All-Access Kentucky” on ESPN? It’s fantastic. Mainly because it doesn’t deal with the Kentucky football team.
Last Week: 14 (Lost to Georgia 29-24)
