| 22 September 2010
How do you have the teams within the SEC ranked over all? Are you showing a mixture of East and West division teams or is one division ranked higher than the other?
We take a look at the conference from top to bottom, ranking the teams how we see it. 1. Alabama Crimson Tide: How scary is the Tide offense? Sure, as soon as we say it, someone will pop up to prove us wrong. Offensively, the Tide have shown no signs of slowing down. Defensively, the team is young, but their motors are always running. While the defense has surrendered some yards this season, they are improving weekly.
2. South Carolina Gamecocks: Until proven otherwise, the Gamecocks have the second best team in the SEC. The defense is better than anticipated ... the offensive line has shown their ability ... this team has a rushing attack.
3. Florida Gators: Even with the slow starts, the fumbled snaps, turnovers ... anyone would be hard pressed to put this team any higher on this list ... and truthfully, it would not be a stretch to put them lower. The passing offense is much farther behind than I would have guessed. The defense bends at times, but over all, is very solid.
4. Auburn Tigers: Some might think it is a stretch to put Auburn in this slot. The Tigers should have lost to Clemson last weekend, but Clemson is a good team. The offense is rejuvenated under Cam Newton's direction. How much improved would the UT Vols had been if they had been able to sign Newton?
5. LSU Tigers: Undefeated ... the fans are sick of Gary Crowton's lack of offensive strategy. Slow starts on offense are only aided by a good defense. When the offense is on the field, the team does look disheveled from time to time.
5a. Arkansas Razorbacks: Outside of the UGA game, this team starts slowly offensively ... that will end up being a killer in this league. The Razorbacks could elevate their power ranking with a good showing this weekend against Alabama, but frankly? That might not happen.
6. Kentucky Wildcats: Are they the 6th best team in the SEC? Are they 6th worst team in the SEC? Yes, you can ask that question both ways. This team is better than most would have expected, but might not be as good as I had thought. Offense can be powerful at times and the defense has room to improve. I would be shocked to see this team end up in the Music City Bowl again this year.
7. Mississippi State Bulldogs: Solid passing attack ... who saw that one coming? Weak rushing attack ... the death knell to Dan Mullin's offense. Defense is decent even with the over all make up of that side of the ball. Are the Bulldogs really better than the rest of the list? In some cases, it is close.
8. Georgia Bulldogs: Honestly, where do you put the Georgia Bulldogs? Struggling offensively ... and it is not 100% due to not having AJ Green available due to suspension. The defense has a LONG way to go. Is this Richt's last season? I am not sure ... but rest assured, even with the fans screaming at me "no way", they are beginning to get restless in Athens, GA.
9. Tennessee Vols: Ninth best team? Some could argue that this team is better, but where would you put them? If you can elevate the Vols, it would be no higher than 7th in the SEC. The offense will be hampered all season due to the quarterbacks being limited in the offense (most passing plays, the quarterback has TWO receivers to check ... that is it). UT has a good rushing attack. The defense can be beaten, especially when playing a fast team.
10. Vanderbilt Commodores: What can you say? 10th is 10th (keep in mind, we have a "5a")
11. Ole Miss Rebels: WTF? Seriously ... losses to Jacksonville State and Vandy ... has anyone called a moving truck to defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix's house yet? Anyone else wondering why Houston Nutt's name almost always seems to pop up when another team is searching for a coach? It's because he is coaching with smoke-and-mirrors ... if Jim Donnan was ever reincarnated ... he would be Houston Nutt.
