SEC Power Rankings Week 8: Are Both LSU and Alabama Overrated?

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The BCS named LSU as their No. 1 team followed by the Tigers’ best test in the SEC West—the Alabama Crimson Tide. Being a diehard nonconformist, I have both teams ranked on all of my many lists in slots that could surprise you.

On the flip, if you’re not startled by anything, then you could be getting too cold inside your heart where it counts. For this reason, I’ve tried to warm your hearts with shocking rankings that could leave you with a peaked interest in SEC entertainment.

In line with that, if you also like football along with your cheerleaders and pep squads, then join me to find out which one of the lower-rung teams moved from worst to No. 11 in my rankings.

For sure, it’s a coin flip to determine which team is least in the East and a jest in the West this week, but I’ve tried my best. In the same manner, be on your best behavior while avoiding the monotony of your too-cold life.

12. Ole Miss: Rebels Without a Cause or an SEC Victory in 2011

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As long as Ole Miss keeps playing ice-cold the way they are in the conference, then the other teams will continue to feel very confident they can get a victory against them every time out.

The Rebels lost 52-7 to Alabama last time out.  

11. Kentucky: Moved Up This Week

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In comparison to Old Miss’ stunning loss, Kentucky lost 54-3 to South Carolina, but KU has played a tougher schedule and has the same record as Ole Miss (2-4, 0-3 SEC).

Rather than continue to discuss the futility of football at UK, I’ll just remind you that the countdown to Midnight Madness basketball continues on campus. Be there or be square.

No word on whether or not John Calipari has recruited any football players to square up on the low blocks. Since there isn’t much blocking going on in football games, I’m not sure he will ever try that.

10. Mississippi State: Barking Up the Wrong Southeastern Conference Tree

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In light of the poor blocking schemes at Mississippi State, the coaching staff should consider taking a page from Steve Spurrier and adding a few tall-tree shot-blockers from the basketball team.

After playing themselves into the spotlight last season, the Dogs have descended into darkness this year.

9. Tennessee: It’s the Talent Level According to Barbara Dooley

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Derek Dooley’s allegedly untalented Tennessee team is also slipping further into darkness; they have yet to win an SEC battle this season.

A .500 team overall, the Orange and White will need to fight hard to even sniff the popcorn near a bowl-game-hosting stadium this year. It doesn’t look good.

Alabama, South Carolina and Arkansas remain on their schedule with Middle Tennessee, Vandy and Kentucky in the background. All right. Forget about Kentucky.

The Volunteers have lost two in a row and a trifecta overall in the conference, and find themselves dangling behind Vandy in the standings.

8. Vanderbilt: Back to Normal

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Vandy, on the other hand, has lost three games in a row and are fading fast, but Army is next.

The Commodores can’t afford to overlook the dangerous Black Knights before VU faces Arkansas on October 29 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville.

7. Florida: Flailing in the Swamp

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Like Vandy, Florida has lost three in a row, but the Gators’ competition has been very tough: Alabama, LSU and Auburn.

Will Muschamp’s team (4-3, 2-3) will have to bite their way out of the swamp in order to become bowl-eligible. Vandy and Furman are their most winnable games remaining. To counter, South Carolina and Georgia are also on Florida’s tough slate.

6. Georgia: Barking for First Place

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More dangerous than Gators these days, the SEC’s top dogs are separated from the University of Florida by two games in the conference. The Bulldogs (5-2, 4-1) could end Florida’s hopes of winning the East with a win over them in two weeks.

5. Auburn: Still Growling

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On the opposite side of the SEC, the top Tigers in the West are LSU for now, but the Auburn Tigers (5-2, 3-1) haven’t lost their voices thanks to this writer. AU can tie Louisiana State for first place in the SEC West with a win on the road against them this Saturday afternoon on ABC.

I’ll be back after that to voice my opinion on which Tigers team is growling the loudest and is grrrreater.

4. South Carolina: Still in First

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To be sure, Steve Spurrier is a great coach. He has his team at (6-1, 4-1) and still in first place in the East.

Having identical records in the conference, SC is tied for first with Georgia, but Spurrier’s squad beat the Bulldogs earlier this season. That gives the Gamecocks a tiebreaker.

South Carolina isn’t a very high-ranking team in FBS categories, but the BCS has them pegged at No. 14. After playing Tennessee, the Cocks will line up against Arizona.

3. Arkansas: Ranking Razorbacks

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The Razorbacks at present are ranked at No. 9 behind Stanford and ahead of Oregon in the BCS Poll. That means the SEC has three teams in the Top 10—the most of any league.

In comparing apples and oranges, the BCS has undefeated Kansas State ranked No. 11. If they squeak into the Top 10, then Big 12 teams will also have three.

2. LSU: BCS No. 1, My National No. 3

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In relation to FBS rankings, I have the Bayou Bengals behind Oklahoma and Alabama, but BCS voters see it quite the opposite. OU is ranked No. 3 behind the top two SEC schools by the Bowl Championship Series.

A positive sign is that some people agree with me; LSU shouldn’t be No. 1. In contrast, BCS advocates view some of us as being looney. Notwithstanding anyone’s opinion, I am cuckoo for college football conference play.

1. Alabama: BCS No. 2, My SEC No. 1

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To emphasize my conference love, I can’t wait for Alabama and LSU to hook up later this year. Whether you think I’m looney-tuned or the antihesis, stay tuned.

To tune it all up, LSU is my No. 2, Albama is my No. 1 in the Deep South and the SEC is America’s greatest football conference ever. I gurgled it out, and I’m out until next week. One love.

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