SEC Power Rankings After Week Seven: Alabama, Florida, And...?

Two things I know about the SEC—Florida and Alabama are clearly the two best teams and Vanderbilt is the worst.

After that it is anybody's ball game. LSU on paper looks to have the third best team but they are again having struggles at QB, so they are a couple of turnovers from losing to Auburn this week.

I know Auburn beat Tennessee who beat Georgia who beat Arkansas who beat Auburn, but here is my stab at the SEC rankings this week.

1. Alabama

Tide take care of business again with defense and the running game. I have them slightly above Florida after the Gators performance on Saturday.

2. Florida

Gators survive a huge scare on Saturday in a three point win over Arkansas. Not much time to mope as they travel to Starkville to play their old OC Dan Mullen. Florida's record in the state of Mississippi is not too good as of late either.

3. LSU

Tigers had a bye week after the Florida loss and now gets ready to host Auburn. Hopefully Jordan Jefferson was able to re-light the fire he started in the bowl game last season.

4. Georgia

Is Georgia really the fourth best team? They have not played like it for some of the season, but they have the talent to be here. It's just a matter of going out on the field and proving it.

5. South Carolina

Gamecocks kept it close for three plus quarters in Tuscaloosa but could not muster any offense when they had to. South Carolina's nemesis the last two seasons, Vandy, comes to Columbia this Saturday.

6. Arkansas

Razorbacks has found a defense over the last two weeks! A big game in the West traveling to Ole Miss to face their former coach looms on Saturday.

7. Ole Miss

The Arkansas game last year was where Ole Miss turned it on for the rest of the year, and so far their 2009 performance has been about the same as 2008. Can Ole Miss kick it into high gear again?

8. Tennessee

The Vols had a week off to get ready for Alabama. But something tells me Nick Saban's defense is not going to make Jonathan Crompton look as good as UGA's did.

9. Kentucky

The Wildcats finally break through for a win in a game I knew would be close (just not that close ).

10. Auburn

Is Dennis Green lurking somewhere in Auburn after a home loss to Kentucky?

11. Miss State

Bulldogs break through with a resounding win over Middle Tenn. State and await the Gators. Cowbells will be ringing on Saturday.

12. Vanderbilt

I am not sure if I see a conference win for Vandy this year. Just not getting the same breaks they did last year.


A much better (and easier) way would be to look at the teams in like groupings.

Tier I

Florida, Alabama

Tier II

None

Tier III

LSU

Tier IV

Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Auburn, Ole Miss, Arkansas

Tier V

Miss State

Tier VI

Vanderbilt

Top SEC Story lines for Week Eight

• Florida barely escaped Arkansas on Saturday. Is another close game waiting in Starkville when they go up against their old OC Dan Mullen and Mississippi State?

• Tennessee has had an off week to soak up the glory of the resounding defeat of UGA and to prepare for Alabama. Can the Vols hang with the Tide like they did Florida?

• The race for number two in the West hits full stride as Arkansas travels to Oxford to face Ole Miss. Can the Hogs carry the momentum of last week against the struggling Rebels?

• The two Tigers tangle in Baton Rouge Saturday night as Auburn looks to end a two game losing streak. But does LSU have its offensive woes solved after a bye week?

• And what is with the SEC officials? Now another personal foul is found to be wrong by the SEC office. Could the conference back up their officials any less?