SEC Power Rankings – Week 7
Oct 12, 2013; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Florida Gators running back Mack Brown (33) is tackled by LSU Tigers safety Craig Loston (6) and linebacker Lamin Barrow (18) during the first half of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Shakeup Saturday hit the SEC hard – specifically in the East. Missouri is finally starting to get the respect it felt it deserved all along as a result of the Georgia win. The Bulldogs take a pretty hard tumble as a result – both in their national and conference championship hopes.
Texas A&M survived a tough road test at Ole Miss, but can’t pass LSU in the SEC Power Rankings. The Tigers handled business during their 17-6 victory over Florida with an impressive defensive showing.
Here are your Week 7 SEC Power Rankings:
1. Alabama (6-0, 3-0) – Last Week: 1; Won at Kentucky, 48-7
For one quarter, Alabama looked ordinary. Then the Crimson Tide poured it on the worst team in the SEC. Alabama’s tailbacks rushed for 5 TDs and QB AJ McCarron threw for a career-high 359 yards. Just another day in the office for coach Nick Saban’s team.
2. LSU (6-1, 3-1) – Last Week: 3; Beat No. 17 Florida, 17-6
Whether LSU’s defensive dominance says more about the Tigers or Florida remains to be seen. Either way, John Chavis’ unit looked great on Saturday, holding the Gators to 240 yards of total offense – 14 of which came on a fake punt. LSU allowed a first-possession field goal and allowed just one more the rest of the way. RB Jeremy Hill ran for 121 yards in the victory.
3. Texas A&M (5-1, 2-1) – Last Week: 4; Won at Ole Miss, 41-38
For the second consecutive season, Texas A&M had its back against the wall in Oxford. For the second consecutive season, the Aggies found a way to leave The Grove with a thrilling victory in a nail-biter. A&M’s defense still must improve if Kevin Sumlin hopes to put his team in a BCS bowl, but as long as the Aggies have QB Johnny Manziel outscoring them will be no easy feat.
4. South Carolina (5-1, 3-1) – Last Week: 6; Won at Arkansas, 52-7
QB Connor Shaw accounted for 4 TDs and South Carolina’s defense took out season-long frustration on Arkansas. The Gamecocks did whatever they wanted on Saturday. They held the ball for more than 43 minutes, forced three turnovers and allowed the Razorbacks just seven first downs. Add Georgia’s loss to Missouri and Saturday turned into a very good day for South Carolina fans.
5. Missouri (6-0, 2-0) – Last Week: 7; Won at No. 7 Georgia, 41-26
The Tigers claimed a Pyrrhic victory Saturday, taking down Georgia but losing QB James Franklin for the regular season with a separated shoulder. Missouri stands alone at the top of the SEC East with home games the next two weeks against Florida and South Carolina. Mizzou’s defense played very well on Saturday. It might have to continue to play at a high level for the Tigers to give QB2 Maty Mauk time to develop as a starter.
6. Georgia (4-2, 3-1) – Last Week: 2; Lost to No. 25 Missouri, 41-26
The injuries piling up on the Georgia offensive depth chart caught up with Mark Richt’s team on Saturday. The Bulldogs rallied back from a big early deficit, but Missouri responded with the final two TDs. QB Aaron Murray turned the ball over three times, including interceptions on Georgia’s final two drives. Georgia can still win the division but needs to start growing healthier.
7. Auburn (5-1, 2-1) – Last Week: 8; Beat Western Carolina, 62-3
The quarterback situation isn’t crystal clear, but that’s because true freshman QB Jeremy Johnson excelled in his collegiate debut – although it came against a pathetic opponent. Auburn hopes to get QB1 Nick Marshall (knee) back in the lineup next week at Texas A&M. The Tigers posted a school-record 712 yards, including 511 rushing yards.
8. Florida (4-2, 3-1) – Last Week: 5; Lost at No. 10 LSU, 17-6
Nobody questions the talent and production of Will Muschamp’s defense. The offense is another story. Florida couldn’t move the ball against an unspectacular LSU defense, particularly through the air. QB Tyler Murphy managed just 115 passing yards.
9. Ole Miss (3-3, 1-3) – Last Week: 9; Lost to No. 9 Texas A&M, 41-38
Ole Miss dropped an absolute heart-breaker Saturday night, missing out on another opportunity to take down Texas A&M. Post-game chatter faulted coach Hugh Freeze for his play-calling on the final drive, but his play-calling the rest of the second half put the Rebels in position in the first place. Problem is, Ole Miss now finds itself 1-3 in the conference with a game against LSU still looming.
10. Tennessee (3-3, 0-2) – Last Week: 11; Bye week
The Volunteers had the week off to recover from its heart-breaking near-upset loss to Georgia. This week they take their best shot at South Carolina.
11. Vanderbilt (3-3, 0-3) – Last Week: 12; Bye week
For Vanderbilt to avoid an 0-6 start in SEC play, it must beat Georgia, Florida or Texas A&M. So good luck with that. The Commodores at least had the week off before taking on that stretch.
12. Mississippi State (3-3, 0-2) – Last Week: 13; Beat Bowling Green, 21-20
Well, winning ugly against Bowling Green is still better than losing to the MAC team. The Bulldogs barely escaped with a win, largely thanks to QB Dak Prescott, who rushed for 139 yards and 2 TDs. Coach Dan Mullen still insists on playing Prescott and QB Tyler Russell.
13. Arkansas (3-4, 0-3) – Last Week: 10; Lost to No. 14 South Carolina, 52-7
Finding something positive to say about the Razorbacks’ performance this week is a tough task. Arkansas had the ball for just 16:35. QB Brandon Allen completed just 4 of 12 passes for 30 yards and an INT. The Razorbacks managed just seven first downs. Just an awful overall performance on Saturday against South Carolina. Hey, at least RB Alex Collins gained 69 yards and scored a TD on just 10 carries.
14. Kentucky (1-5, 0-3) – Last Week: 14; Lost to No. 1 Alabama, 48-7
Alabama pulverized Kentucky in just about every facet of the game Saturday, including to the tune of 668-170 in total yards of offense. Worse, just when the Wildcats picked a quarterback, Jalen Whitlow suffered what appeared to be a pretty bad ankle injury.