SEC Football: Final Power Rankings Including Missouri and Texas A&M

With Alabama's 21-0 thrashing of LSU in last night's National Championship Game, the SEC finishes with its sixth straight national champion.  It was an incredible season for the SEC.  Not only did it feature both finalists for the title, but four teams in the final top ten (South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU, and Alabama).

So how did the teams stack up at the end of the season?  Just for fun, I included Texas A&M and Missouri.  Both will make noise in 2012. 

I also included my personal projection for the team in 2012.  It really is a pleasure to watch such great play in the SEC.

14. Mississippi Rebels

Offensive Rank: 110th

Defensive Rank: 87th

Final Record:  2-10

Final Ranking: Not Ranked

Mississippi was almost so bad they were offensive.  They lost to Louisiana Tech 27-7.  They were inept in almost every single game they played. 

This team has very little chance to make a quick rebound.  They have very few SEC caliber players.  They have a brand new staff.  Houston Nutt destroyed this program. 

Hugh Freeze has his work cut out for him. 

Projected finish for 2012:  Last in the SEC West

13. Tennessee Volunteers

Offensive Rank: 100th

Defensive Rank: 28th

Final Record:  5-7

Final Ranking: Not Ranked

Tennessee is a mess right now. They have no direction or focus, and they struggled mightily on offense.  However, hope is on the way.  Tyler Bray, the talented quarterback, will be coming back from injury.  They looked good with him playing. 

They should improve in 2012 and will hop out of the SEC East cellar. 

Projected finish for 2012:  6th in the SEC East

12. Kentucky Wildcats

Offensive Rank: 114th

Defensive Rank: 57th

Final Record:  5-7

Final Ranking: Not Ranked

Kentucky improved over the second half of the season.  After being embarrassed by South Carolina 54-3, the Wildcats became suddenly more competitive.  They gave Georgia a solid game, and they beat Tennessee. 

However, they still had bouts of terrible play, including a stinker against Vanderbilt.  The Wildcats will not improve much in 2012.  They may improve slightly, but it won't be enough to keep them from dropping to last in the SEC East. 

Projected finish for 2012:  Last in the SEC East

11. Vanderbilt Commodors

Offensive Rank: 94th

Defensive Rank: 18th

Final Record:  6-7

Final Ranking: Not Ranked

No team with a losing record provided as much buzz as Vanderbilt. The perennial cellar dweller played very well and finished above Kentucky and Tennessee. 

They have the potential to be improved in 2012.  They have a legitimate SEC defense.  It would not completely shock me if they outplay Florida next season.  Surprise?  Sure.  Shock, no.   

Projected finish for 2012:  5th in the SEC East

10. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Offensive Rank: 80th

Defensive Rank: 36th

Final Record:  7-6

Final Ranking: Not Ranked

The most disappointing team of 2011, Mississippi State was supposed to be one of the most physical teams in the league. 

With a bruising run game and solid defense, they were primed to surprise many people.  However, they didn't, and slipped back down to mediocre football. 

They did have a difficult schedule.  They had to play Georgia and South Carolina out of the East, and you can't have a more difficult draw of Eastern teams than that.

Projected finish for 2012:  6th in the West

9. Florida Gators

Offensive Rank: 101st

Defensive Rank: 8th

Final Record:  7-6

Final Ranking: Not Ranked

Probably the surprise team of 2011, and not for a positive reason.  With new coach Will Muschamp and "offensive genius" Charlie Weis, Florida finally had the coaches to produce.

Or so we thought. 

With the athletes that Florida has, there was no excuse for them to only win six regular season games and have one of the worst offenses in college football. 

Muschamp's seat should already be hot.

Projected finish for 2012:  4th in the SEC East

8. Texas A&M Aggies

Offensive Rank: 9th

Defensive Rank: 58th

Final Record:  7-6

Final Ranking: Not Ranked

Even though Texas A&M had an incredible offense, they only won six regular season games.  It was a disappointing season for the Aggies.

It will only get harder for them, as they enter the most difficult division in the most difficult league in college football.  They will struggle mightily their first year. 

Projected finish for 2012:  5th in the SEC West

7. Auburn Tigers

Offensive Rank: 96th

Defensive Rank: 78th

Final Record:  8-5

Final Ranking: Not Ranked

Auburn had a disappointing follow up to its 2010 National Championship season.  Its offense sputtered all season long, and the defense was nowhere near as good as its 2010 edition.

However, they have a ton of great talent.  They will be much improved in 2012, but not enough to crack the top three of the west. 

Projected finish for 2012:  4th in SEC West

6. Missouri Tigers

Offensive Rank: 11th

Defensive Rank: 60th

Final Record:  8-5

Final Ranking: Not Ranked

Missouri will be bringing its offensive firepower to the SEC East in 2012.  They had a fairly successful season in the Big 12, and lost games against high quality opponents by close margins. 

They will be competitive in the SEC East from year one.  They won't be able to overtake the Gamecocks or Bulldogs, but they will be in the hunt.

Projected finish for 2012:  3rd in the SEC East

5. Georgia Bulldogs

Offensive Rank: 36th

Defensive Rank: 5th

Final Record:  10-4

Final Ranking: Coaches Poll No. 20 and AP No. 19

Georgia had a phenomenal season, winning the East and coming back from two back-to-back losses to begin the season. 

A bad loss in the SEC Championship Game and an unexplainable bowl loss take away some of the luster of an otherwise outstanding season.  They will be dangerous in 2012. 

Projected finish for 2012:  2nd in the SEC East

4. South Carolina Gamecocks

Offensive Rank: 70th

Defensive Rank: 3rd

Final Record:  11-2

Final Ranking: Coaches Poll No. 8 and AP No. 9

In a historic season, South Carolina did everything it could to win.  They lost their Heisman candidate running back and 5th year senior quarterback and still won 11 games. 

They were a heart-breaking loss to Auburn away from repeating as the SEC East champion.  Once Connor Shaw stepped forward and became comfortable in the offense, they were very difficult to beat, as they will be in 2012. 

Projected finish for 2012:  1st in the SEC East

3. Arkansas Razorbacks

Offensive Rank: 27th

Defensive Rank: 46th

Final Record:  11-2

Final Ranking: Coaches Poll and AP No. 5

Overshadowed by Alabama and LSU, Arkansas quietly had one of its finest seasons.  With an explosive offense and underrated defense, the Razorbacks proved they are an elite SEC team. 

However, due to the strength of LSU and Alabama, they will sit at number three in the west for the foreseeable future. 

Projected Finish for 2012: 3rd in the SEC West

2. LSU Tigers

Offensive Rank: 82nd

Defensive Rank: 2nd

Final Record:  13-1

Final Ranking: Coaches Poll and AP No. 2 (National Champion Runner Up and SEC Champion)

In what had to be a disappointing end to 2011, LSU got crushed in New Orleans.  However, it shouldn't completely take away from an amazing season.  The Tigers get another SEC Championship, and are one great quarterback away from being almost unbeatable. 

Next year, they should be stellar. 

Projected finish for 2012: 2nd in the SEC West

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Offensive Rank: 29th

Defensive Rank: 1st

Final Record:  12-1

Final Ranking: Coaches Poll and AP No. 1 (National Champion)

Can there be any other choice?  With the most impressive defense I have ever seen, and one of the greatest coaches ever, Alabama finishes the season as the best SEC team. 

Projected finish for 2012: 1st in the SEC West, SEC Champion