SEC Football Expansion: Power Ranking All 14 Teams Including Texas A&M, Missouri

When expansion moves started happening earlier this season, not many people would have predicted the current settlement that has occurred in the SEC. With the recent apparent addition of Missouri, the conference has added two former Big 12 members to the most powerful ranks in college football.

The SEC didn’t have to expand to stay competitive but they did if they wanted to keep driving revenue. Looking at the new conference alignment, there is a shift in the current power rankings. While the addition of the Aggies and third set of Tigers did add competition, they are middle of the road at best currently when compared to their in-conference brethren.

Here is a look at where each team stands in the current SEC power rankings. 

No. 14 Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss has looked absolutely terrible this season in almost every contest. Last week, they faced a very talented Arkansas team and kept the game close down to the wire but they were unable to execute to the finish.

The Rebels travel to Auburn this week carrying a 10-game losing streak in-conference. Houston Nutt is likely counting his days on campus, as it is becoming apparent that the Rebels will be likely looking in another direction to finish the season.

Ole Miss faces a battle with the remaining schedule and is likely to only be favored in its game against Louisiana Tech. A regime change definitely is in order in Oxford and the hope will be that it comes soon for the Rebels faithful. 

No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky is one of the few SEC teams without a conference win. They have started the season very lacklustre, despite hopes that they could build on the success that was witnessed a year ago.

Kentucky has struggled consistently on offense this season, ranking 111th overall in points scored. The Wildcats, though, have a chance tonight to beat the Bulldogs of Mississippi State and push themselves a little further up the list.

At the end of the day, the Wildcats have a long way before Joker Phillips becomes one of the elite coaches guiding one of the elite teams in the SEC.

No. 12 Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State was expected to be one of the better teams in the SEC this fall. The Bulldogs have, however, struggled mightily. They have managed to be terribly inconsistent on offense but have managed to play decently well defensively.

The Bulldogs have two huge tests left, with games against Arkansas and Alabama, but they are likely to falter in both. What once appeared to be one of the most up-and-coming coaching careers in college is now looking like a struggle, as Dan Mullen has led underachieving teams for two years in a row.

Mississippi State could pull out a surprise victory against either Alabama or Arkansas. Losing those games makes it possible for the Bulldogs to win only two games in conference. Those wins are assuming defeats of Kentucky and Ole Miss, which aren’t guaranteed.

No. 11 Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt has been a surprising team so far this season. They have only managed a 4-4 record so far this season, but they do have a conference win. The remaining schedule for the Commodores is no pushover with Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee remaining.

The Commodores have a shot to make it to bowl eligibility and played No. 10 Arkansas to the wire earlier today. The Commodores just manage to find ways to give away games it seems but they are faring better than some of their in-conference brothers this season.

Look for the Commodores to earn some more victories and likely make it to a bowl game this year. They are a scrappy team and will find a win to win two more.

No. 10 Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee finds itself on the lower half of the conference power rankings right now. The Volunteers are building a good base for the future, but currently they can’t put a complete season together. The recent injury to quarterback phenom Tyler Bray has not helped matters in Knoxville.

Tennessee faces a tough Eastern Division opponent this week in South Carolina and they also travel to Arkansas in two weeks. Standing at 3-4 today, 0-4 in conference, the Volunteers aren’t quite cutting the edge of success.

If a victory can come against South Carolina, finishing with only one more loss is possible for the remainder of the season for the Volunteers. Until then, they are below average.

No. 9 Texas A&M Aggies

There is a thin line that separates the Aggies and the Tigers from Missouri at this point. Missouri pulled out a win today however, tipping the hat in their favor. The Aggies started the season very highly ranked and respected due in large part to their effectiveness on both offense and defense.

The Aggies made it to No. 8 at one point in this season, playing very well at times and putting up tremendous numbers on both offense and defense.

A&M has one of the most talented quarterbacks in football in Ryan Tannehill, who has already passed for 2,005 yards this season. The Aggies rushing offense has also been quite effective with Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray. The Aggies face two tough tests in the coming weeks, which will determine how strong they finish the season.

No. 8 Missouri Tigers

Missouri has yet to officially join the SEC, but with the “accidental” release of documents about the merger, most of the country is preparing their schedules accordingly. Missouri will be the 14^th team in the SEC.

Missouri pulled out a win against their current, and future, conference rival Texas A&M, as they beat the Aggies in overtime earlier in the day. Missouri was one of the few unbeaten teams late in the season a year ago, even defeating Oklahoma at home in a surprise victory.

Missouri has contended for the Big 12 consistently in recent years and stands a chance to play out well in the SEC. While they aren’t likely to be the best team in the conference every year, they will push for championships.

No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia is utilizing a host of talented young players this season as they hope to push towards growth and success as they close the season. They face Florida this week in the Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville.

The Bulldogs have the opportunity to finish strong with only one ranked opponent left on the schedule, No. 23 Auburn, who they host November 12^th. Georgia has the opportunity to push to six wins in this week’s game, with the following week against New Mexico State appearing to be win No. 7.

Mark Richt may be on the hot seat right now, but if he can finish the season with nine wins, he may be able to stick around a little longer. 

No. 6 Florida Gators

Florida started the season with very lofty expectations and high hopes, despite a huge change with the retirement of former coach Urban Meyer, possibly for good, and the hiring of Will Muschamp.

The Gators made it into the Top 25 and even made it as high as No. 16, but the Gators lost big to Alabama and LSU in consecutive weeks, pushing them out of the polls. They followed those games up with another loss, this time to Auburn. The Gators did lose their starting quarterback to injury against Alabama, forcing them to start a freshman against LSU and Auburn.

The return of John Brantley will surely be a spark for the Gators this week against Georgia, likely allowing Florida to have an edge in the game. If Florida can plan well and move the ball with the return of their senior leader, the Gators should hold up to the billing as the second-best team in the East.

No. 5 Auburn Tigers

Auburn has struggled mightily on offense at times this season. Their defense looked to lack efficiency early as well, but has come on stronger as the season progresses. Auburn was expected to fall on their face this season; instead the Tigers have clawed their way to conference mediocrity.

Auburn has recently made a change at quarterback, in hopes that the offense will get a jumpstart in the right direction. Auburn has a tough schedule to finish the season as they still face Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama in conference.

Auburn did win a big road contest to start October at South Carolina but the Tigers have managed to lose three games this season. To their defense, those three losses all came against current Top 10 teams with a combined record of 23-1.

No. 4 South Carolina Gamecocks

Say what you will about the Gamecocks, but to this point they are a one loss East team that managed to win a big time inter-division game against Georgia early in the year. If the Gamecocks can continue to find ways to win, they will repeat as Eastern Division Champions.

Losing their starting quarterback to expulsion never helps. Following that up by losing your starting running back, who is considered one of the best in the country, and there is a recipe for disaster.

The Gamecocks face some tough contests coming up with Tennessee, Arkansas and Florida left to play. They also finish the season at No. 5 Clemson. As it stands today, Carolina controls its destiny.

No. 3 Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas started the season as the dark horse pick for most in the SEC West. Losing big to Alabama in week four did nothing but separate the top of the conference from the rest of the pack. Arkansas has struggled in some other wins this season, but their power on offense keeps them above the rest of the pack in conference.

The Razorbacks lost some impact players early this season to injury. Regaining players upfront defensively has helped the Razorbacks gain an edge on defense and the return of Dennis Johnson has provided a spark.

Arkansas somehow always manages to play itself out of championship contention, but the Razorbacks have a good shot at making this season special and finish with 10 wins. 

No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama is a very close second to LSU to take the top spot in the SEC power ranking. The Tide have done everything that has been asked of them–and looked overly powerful doing it. The Tide have played a less daunting schedule so far, which places the edge to LSU for top billing.

The Crimson Tide defense has been one of the best in recent history and continues to get better week after week. The Alabama offense has actually been the most impressive unit for the Tide this fall, A.J. McCarron has come along well leading the Tide offense.

Alabama’s big test comes next week against LSU at home and with a win, the Tide would vault into the No. 1 spot in the SEC power ranking. If they lose, they remain in a league of their own.

No. 1 LSU Tigers

When looking across the country, few teams have looked as impressive in their wins this season as the Bayou Bengals. LSU has absolutely dominated in every win so far, proving to the country that they deserve their No. 1 ranking.

LSU has a tenacious and dangerous defense, and the Tigers play offense efficiently enough to control the clock and produce points. LSU has not needed to be explosive offensively this season, and the likelihood is that won’t change.

LSU faces Alabama this coming week in a battle of the unbeaten and billing the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country. With a win, the Tigers stay No. 1 in the SEC and the country. With a loss, they fall to No. 2.