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SEC Football Power Rankings 2017: Week 1 edition

By Hunter Kinniburgh

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball as linebacker Dorian O'Daniel #6 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to tackle him during the first half of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball as linebacker Dorian O'Daniel #6 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to tackle him during the first half of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs out runs a Miami (Oh) Redhawks’ defender to score a touchdown during the third quarter in the St. Petersburg Bowl at Tropicana Field on December 26, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett, Jr. /Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs out runs a Miami (Oh) Redhawks’ defender to score a touchdown during the third quarter in the St. Petersburg Bowl at Tropicana Field on December 26, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett, Jr. /Getty Images) /

Sure this might seem low for the Bulldogs, but i’m just not convinced with this team yet. The Bulldogs were 5-7 in 2016 and only made a bowl game due to the lack of six win teams. Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald might be one of the better quarterbacks in the league, but i’m also not totally sold on that.

Give Dan Mullen credit, he might be the quarterback whisperer after having developing talent from Tim Tebow, to Dak Prescott and now as Miss. State fans hope, Fitzgerald. The only problem is I haven’t seen enough arm talent from him to say he’s elite. His running ability is definitely there. Not to mention that Fitzgerald doesn’t have much established talent surrounding him.

The Bulldog defense is the wildcard for this team. They were inconsistent all of 2016 and they have key pieces but as a whole, there’s no telling how this unit will do this season against SEC heavyweights.

Arkansas is an intriguing team. They always seem to be overlooked and yet make a name for themselves at some point in the season. The only thing is that under Bret Bielema, they’ve never been consistent.

The loss of Rawleigh Williams III to early retirement from a neck injury will hit the running game hard. Williams has been a focal point of the offense in recent seasons. In his stead, Devwah Waley will carry the load for the offense. As is true with Bielema offense, expect the running game to be good. The good news for the rest of the offense is that Austin Allen returns to provide a steady hand.

Related Story: Arkansas Football: 5 bold predictions for 2017

Defense will be the unit to watch and not for a good reason. The Razorbacks return only five starters from last year. None of whom were on the defensive line. That doesn’t bode well for the strong offensive lines that they’ll face in the SEC. Obviously they have players returning with playing experience, but to not have a steady starter return is worrisome. The season will hinge on the effectiveness of the defense. The offense should be fine.

Sure people will shake their heads at seeing the Rebels at the number nine spot. Doesn’t matter, this team deserves to start 2017 in this spot (if not higher). Take out all the offseason noise and you have a very talented team. A team that is made up of superstars in the making in Shea Patterson, Greg Little, A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, and Breeland Speaks just to name a few.

From a strictly on-field football standpoint, Ole Miss should be a competitive team this season. Obviously all of the offseason NCAA news and the departure of Hugh Freeze might make a difference, but this is still a determined team and about as fine a coaching staff as you could find. If Ole Miss is to have a good season their defense will have to improve. The talent is there, they just needed better coaching. Enter new defensive coordinator Wesley McGriff.

Ole Miss can’t play in a bowl game or the SEC Championship, but they just might ruin someones season that has those aspirations. Maybe even more than one team. Either way, teams should not be sleeping on the Rebels in 2017, they have nothing to lose.

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