SEC Football Power Rankings: Kentucky, Tennessee on the rise after big wins in Week 2
By Kathryn Rose
The Tigers were handed a healthy defeat by Kansas State, in what was the first meeting between the sides since 2011. Missouri took a 3-0 lead against the Wildcats, before Kansas State showed themselves as one of the most capable sides in the Big XII, winning 40-12.
Of concern for the Missouri Tigers is how often Brady Cook was running to avoid pressure. Kansas State has one of the most fearsome defensive lines in the Big XII, but the SEC will bring similar challenges.
Vanderbilt rises a spot from last week’s power rankings due to how they played against a top-25 opponent in the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Granted, they lost by 20 points, but they did manage to look honorable in the defeat of a very good Wake Forest team.
Don’t sleep on the Commodores, they’re going to be a pain for some teams this season.
It may be time to ring the alarm bells on the plains, following a discouraging 24-16 win over San Jose State. What makes this win feel like a loss is how San Jose State played against FCS Portland State a week earlier; they needed a last-second touchdown to win that game.
Auburn couldn’t beat that team by more than one score. In addition, the stat sheet shows a narrow margin too; Auburn only outgained the Spartans 378-329.
Though South Carolina came back and made it a game in the third quarter against Arkansas, they were ultimately outlasted by the Razorbacks. Spencer Rattler did show himself to be a sign of hope for this team, though, passing for 376 yards and a touchdown against a tough Razorback defense.
However, they’ll be without two defensive starters for the rest of the year; edge rusher Jordan Strachan and linebacker Mo Kaba suffered ACL injuries that will put them out for the rest of the year.
It’s not that Mississippi State played badly in their win against the Wildcats of Arizona. It’s just that they couldn’t pull away until the fourth quarter, thanks to offensive miscues such as turnovers and fumbles.
Still, though, this win should be taken as a promising sign. Arizona had shown signs of life against San Diego State, and beating this team by 22 points could prove to be no small task.