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SEC Football power rankings, Week 1: Nick Saban is still king

By Kathryn Rose

Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back to throw against the Georgia Bulldogs during the third quarter of the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back to throw against the Georgia Bulldogs during the third quarter of the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) makes a pass as he is tackled in the first half. The Florida Gators lead 21-0 at the half over the Vanderbilt Commodores Saturday afternoon, October 9, 2021 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]2021Fsne First Place Sports
Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) makes a pass as he is tackled in the first half. The Florida Gators lead 21-0 at the half over the Vanderbilt Commodores Saturday afternoon, October 9, 2021 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]2021Fsne First Place Sports /

Last year was a terrible performance by Vanderbilt under first-year coach Clark Lea. They went 2-10, and did not look competitive for a minute against SEC teams.

But, things are looking up this year for the ‘Dores. They’ve got most of their team back from last year, and as their 63-10 drubbing of Hawaii showed last Saturday, they’ve developed quite a bit from last year. Additionally, they’ve signed a class that they’re pretty optimistic about.

Still, though, it’s a long road ahead.

It’s not that Missouri was bad last year. They had Tyler Badie, who ran for 1,600 yards last year. But, Badie is now gone, as is former quarterback Connor Bazelak. In comes Brady Cook and Stanford transfer Nathaniel Peat as the quarterback-running back combo. They, along with five-star receiver recruit Luther Burden, could make the offense a fun one to watch in 2022.

The defense, on the other hand, was second worst in the conference, allowing 6.1 yards per play last season. However, the pass rush does look like it can get home from time to time.

Nothing about Auburn screams stable right now. Bryan Harsin defeated the fans, the administration, and even some of his own players in hand-to-hand combat in February.

Bottom line, this program is in trouble. There’s Tank Bigsby, who is always a star at running back. It’s just that there aren’t a ton of receiving threats, and the wild-throwing TJ Finley is the projected starter at quarterback.

Defensively, the team was actually good last year, and may be the reason they get out of the bottom of the pile in the SEC West.

Shane Beamer did a fantastic job last year, guiding the Gamecocks to 7-6 despite a complete lack of offensive talent. They’ve remedied that this year, bringing in former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler to head up the offensive attack this year.

On defense, the unit should be good again. Zacch Pickens is one of the SEC’s best interior linemen, and Cam Smith is a shrewd corner with great pro potential.

Billy Napier gets no break to start the season, as potential playoff team Utah visits the Swamp for a season-opening affair.

The Gators have some intriguing prospects on their team. Anthony Richardson, when he got in the games, looked like he had some legitimate pro chops. Napier brought in two Louisiana transfers in running back Montrell Johnson and lineman O’Cyrus Torrance. Both bolster a unit that was actually pretty good last year.

Defensively, Florida was not terrible in 2021, averaging 5.4 yards per play allowed. If they keep that level of play, they’ll be a mid-pack SEC team.

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