| 08 September 2010
This is the first season in recent memory I can remember struggling this much while attempting to put together an SEC Power Poll.
Honestly, we have Alabama and then the rest of the league.
Placing the Crimson Tide in the number one slot is the easy part. After that? Seriously, there is a log jam.
There are several teams that showed the ability to have serious offensive problems, but yet, they won their games convincingly ... that happens when you have that many cupcakes on the schedule.
After week two is in the books, we will all know somewhat more than we do now of where some of these teams are actually at. At the moment, if anyone believes that Team C is head and shoulders above Team F, they are just being a homer.
Alabama Crimson Tide: Even without the services of their Heisman Trophy winning running back, Mark Ingram, Bama is the obvious choice in this spot. Even though the Tide played the West Coast version of Lee Harvey Oswald, Bama looked sharp from gun to gun ... on both sides of the ball. I would like to think that we will all know somewhat more of what this team has after this weekend, but then again ... I am too busy wondering how over rated Penn State is this season.
South Carolina Gamecocks: Number two in the SEC? I am not even positive they are number one or number two in their own division at this point. Seriously. Quit laughing. With a solid win over hapless Southern Miss, the Gamecocks got the SEC's first win of the season ... they win this slot by default. If South Carolina can beat the Georgia Bulldogs (and they are slightly favored to do so), then we will comfortably put them in this slot.
Georgia Bulldogs: Did I misread the strength of this team in the preseason? It is still too early to tell. UGA fans would love nothing more than to pound me with their plastic hammers for missing the power of this team ... it is a long season my friends. Aaron Murray did show a ton of mobility ... against an over matched opponent ... looking forward to seeing how many he breaks this week. Whomever loses this week's SC/UGA game will likely be jumped by Auburn and Arkansas.
Auburn Tigers: The only reason AU is in this slot instead of Arkansas is because over all, the team is more solid in more facets of the game at this point. Will be very interesting to see if Cam Newton continues to turn the corner to putting his playing career back together, which we all hope that he does. Michael Dyer is creating a controversy at running back.
Arkansas Razorbacks: Ryan Mallet, Ryan Mallet, Ryan Mallet ... yes, the best quarterback in the SEC. The defense has to show me something ...
Florida Gators: WTH you say? It is easy to see ... yes, the Gators had tons of offensive problems in game one and it began with the inability to snap the football. The ugliest 22 point win in school history, but they did win. Defensively, one of the best in the league. If the offensive problems are not fixed ASAP, this team loses at least three SEC games this season.
LSU Tigers: Was enjoying a lead over the battered and scabbed UNC Tarheels team ... then watched helplessly as NC almost came back to win the game. The game was eerily similar to last season's opener versus the Washington Huskies. LSU has to fix offensive line problems or this team sinks like a rock towards the bottom of the SEC West. Many on twitter were raising the roof talking about OC Gary Crowton. In my opinion, the larger problem is with O-Line Coach Greg Studrawa. Yes, the O-Line looks that bad.
Mississippi State Bulldogs: Looked solid in a win against a high school team. MSU's stock should rise steadily this season. Passing game looked phenomenal last week ... against a high school team ... waiting patiently to see how they perform against the rest of the SEC.
Kentucky Wildcats: Had to struggle to put the Wildcats this low in the poll. There really is not much separation between the second and ninth teams in the poll. Mike Hartline looks as good as we expected him too. The running game is there. This team's destiny will be decided in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Tennessee Volunteers: Looked rough in the first quarter, even against UT Martin. Once key changes were made to the strategy, the running game opened up. Passing game looks better than it did last season, but we are talking about a team that was led by Jonathan Crompton. Defensively, this team is flying under everyone's radar. With a home game against Oregon, the Vols have an opportunity to prove they are not as pitiful as they once were under Fulmer.
Ole Miss Rebels: What? Not in last place? I almost put the Rebels ahead of the Vols in the poll. HUH? Don't forget, Tyrone Nix's defense blew a 21 point lead. Offense looked rough, defense changes were never made late in the game when it mattered. The corners on this team are weak and changes should be made ... losing to Jacksonville State hurt, but Ole Miss was cruising and someone forgot to tell them that Jax State wasn't quiting. This is not the 12th rated team in the SEC ... yet ... even though we predicted them to finish in last place in the SEC West.
Vanderbilt Commodores: So much for the geeks inheriting the turf. Vandy actually looks better than they did last season. That is the good news. The bad news? Still not convinced this team can perform better than last season's two win team.
