I’m getting tired of the Southland conference.
Only three teams from the Southeastern Conference played Southland teams last week, but it felt worse. Playing Football Championship Subdivision teams or teams that belong in the FCS does nothing to impress me, and that’s my feeling toward most SEC teams this week.
I’m going to be thankful I’m not covering the Big Ten and get on with the rankings.
1. Alabama (2-0, 0-0 Southeastern Conference) (Prev. 1)
It was a better week for the Tide than the near-disaster in week one. Playing Florida Atlantic will do that.
The impressive thing Saturday was junior wide receiver Amari Cooper’s performance, racking up 181 receiving yards and a touchdown. Cooper is routinely overshadowed by star running backs, but if opposing teams don’t pay attention, he’ll be able to beat teams deep.
The Tide plays Southern Mississippi next, which has won two of its last 14 games. I’m not going to give any high praise until Alabama begins SEC play in two weeks against Florida.
2. Georgia (1-0, 0-0 SEC) (Prev. 2)
The Bulldogs’ first game came against the team who ruined their 2013 campaign. Now they attempt to avenge a gaffe from 2012.
That was the last time Georgia traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, ending in a 35-7 win for South Carolina. It was one of two losses that ultimately kept Georgia out of national title contention.
I remember speaking to Georgia players at SEC Media Days, and this was the game circled on everyone’s calendar. If the Bulldogs win this game, they’ll climb to the top of the rankings.
3. Auburn (2-0, 1-0 SEC) (Prev. 3)
Auburn controlled another team with its mind-numbing run game, scoring 59 points on San Jose State. Its offense is too much for mid-major talent to control, but Auburn will get a true test this weekend against Kansas State.
LSU fans should pay attention to the game, with their team going to Jordan-Hare in three weeks. This is the best chance to see what LSU is up against.
4. LSU (2-0, 0-0 SEC) (Prev. 4)
It was Sam Houston State, but beating anyone by 56 points reassures a fan base. LSU got ahead early and spent the rest of the game working out offensive kinks.
The game this Saturday against UL-Monroe should play out similarly. LSU will get in front early, then toy with the Brandon Harris and Anthony Jennings combo for the next three quarters. Les Miles’ only concern is his team staying healthy until SEC play.
5. Texas A&M (2-0, 1-0 SEC) (Prev. 5)
The Aggies played Lamar on Saturday. Lamar didn’t have a football team five years ago. I’ll let you guess how it went.
Kenny Hill embarrassed the Cardinals’ defense much like he did to South Carolina the week before. Most Aggie fans were more excited for Texas getting blown out against BYU than the game at their own stadium.
In the next few weeks, A&M will bowl over in-state doormats Rice and SMU. We won’t learn much from games like this, but we already learned a lot with the upset against South Carolina.
6. Ole Miss (2-0, 1-0 SEC) (Prev. 7)
The Rebels beat down Vanderbilt on Saturday, which seems to have returned to the team I grew up with in the early 2000s. Senior defensive back Cody Prewitt and the Rebels’ defense feasted on the Commodores’ mistakes all four quarters.
This win clears up some of the doubts I had after the Rebels’ shaky win against Boise State in week one. Bo Wallace is beginning to look competent, and the defense continues looking like one of the top units in the country.
7. South Carolina (1-1, 0-1 SEC) (Prev. 6)
The Gamecocks drop a spot after an unimposing 33-23 victory against East Carolina. USC has too much talent to let a team like the Pirates hang around for as long as they did.
Along with the aforementioned Georgia game, USC still has games at Auburn, Florida and Clemson. The Gamecocks have already looked bad at home, so I can’t imagine what they might look like on the road.
The situation looks similar to Georgia in 2013, whose struggles resulted from a devastating schedule and horrid defense. There’s plenty of time to turn things around, but it’ll require major changes within the team.
8. Florida (1-0, 0-0 SEC) (Prev. 9)
The Gators scored 65 points Saturday, which is seven more points than the team scored in its last four games combined in 2013. I know they were playing a team from the MAC, but new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper’s system is working.
The best thing about the offense is the new system requiring faster tempo, which translates to more plays in a game. Florida normally has the better athletes, so it’s logical to give those athletes as many chances as possible.
The one thing I do trust is the Gator defense. Coach Will Muschamp has always been strong on that side of the ball, and sophomore defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III is a front-runner for multiple defensive postseason awards.
9. Mississippi State (2-0, 0-0 SEC) (Prev. 8)
Mississippi State found itself in a shootout Saturday with junior quarterback Dak Prescott emerging as the best player on the field. The problem was the Bulldogs were playing UAB.
The Blazers actually outgained Mississippi State in Starkville with 548 yards, including 435 through the air. Fortunately, Prescott is a freak and fended off the upset with 322 total yards and five touchdowns.
You need a defense to compete in the SEC, and State will need to make major adjustments before playing LSU in two weeks.
10. Tennessee (2-0, 0-0) (Prev. 10)
The Volunteers play the toughest non-conference game of any SEC team on Saturday when they travel to Oklahoma to play the Sooners. I’d like to believe they have a chance in this, but Oklahoma’s offense is a machine few can stop.
Let the loss be a learning experience for a young Vols team. The Sooners are a model of what might happen if Tennessee’s stellar freshman class matures.
11. Missouri (2-0, 0-0 SEC) (Prev. 11)
Maty Mauk looked much better in his second game of the season, throwing five touchdowns in Missouri’s rout against Toledo. The defense was still suspect, however, which is why I’m keeping them out of the top 10.
Mizzou plays UCF this Saturday — a great chance to prove the turnover from last season’s team will not be significant.
12. Arkansas (1-1, 0-1 SEC) (Prev. 12)
You played Nicholls State. I don’t care what you did in this game.
13. Kentucky (Prev. 13) (2-0, 0-0 SEC)
Wildcats fans can celebrate another week out of the cellar. Kentucky won 20-3 against Ohio, and murmurs of an SEC win continue to swirl around Lexington.
14. Vanderbilt (Prev. 14) (0-2, 0-1 SEC)
Remember when fans used to call for Zach Mettenberger’s head and beg for Stephen Rivers? People are stupid.