SEC Power Rankings: Alabama is SEC’s only elite team
Nov 28, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles is picked up by his players after defeating the Texas A&M Aggies 19-7 at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Last week, the LSU Tigers fell all the way to No. 6 in our SEC Power Rankings following their third straight loss. While a 19-7 victory over Texas A&M was certainly nice, it wasn’t a dominant performance, and by itself doesn’t call for jumping Arkansas on our list.
However, looking back over the course of the season and realizing that the Tigers lost to the clear No. 1 team in the SEC (Alabama), a top-three squad (Ole Miss) and the second hottest team in the league (Arkansas), and that the Tigers own a victory over the SEC East champion (Florida), LSU is worthy of a spot in the top four at the end of the regular season.
Much like they did during the season-opening seven-game winning streak, the Tigers relied heavily on running back Leonard Fournette against Texas A&M. Fournette ran for 159 yards and a touchdown, and backup Derrius Guice added 73 yards including a 50-yard touchdown run.
Quarterback Brandon Harris was very shaky, and completed just seven of 21 passes for 83 yards and an interception, but the LSU defense put together one of its most complete games and held Texas A&M to 250 total yards of offense, forced three turnovers and recorded five sacks.
After the victory over the Aggies, head coach Les Miles was carried off the field at Tiger Stadium and then sang the alma mater with his players while a live television audience watched.
We thought it might be the last time we would see Miles in purple and gold as rumors, media reports and speculation swirled in recent weeks about whether the 2007 national championship head coach would be fired in Baton Rouge. But, not long afterwards, that speculation came to an end when Miles was told by LSU’s president and athletic director that he would be back next season.
Next Game: Bowl Game TBD
Next: Florida