SEC Power Rankings: Who ranks third? Might as well make it Texas, a year early | Goodbread
After a dismal showing in Week 1, the Southeastern Conference absorbed Week 2 losses at the hands of Texas, Miami and Wake Forest. Potential non-conference party spoilers this week include Georgia Tech, BYU and Kansas State. It's an ugly state of affairs, and the gap between Georgia and the rest of the league, unless Tennessee is better than anyone knows, it starting to look canyon-like. Onto the rankings:
1. Georgia
Last week: 1
This week: vs. South Carolina
What to know: If you think Georgia's schedule is finally toughening up, you must not remember the Dawgs beat the Gamecocks by 41 on the road last year.
2. Tennessee
Last week: 3
This week: at Florida
What to know: In a 30-17 win over Austin Peay, UT LB Aaron Beasley generated more negative yardage with five tackles for loss (-24) than any Governors running back had on the plus side.
3.9. LSU
Last week: 4
This week: at Mississippi State
What to know: There's not a team in the league that deserves to be called the SEC's third-best squad after losses by Texas A&M and Alabama left a clear vacuum. Texas would be a nice fit here, if it wouldn't be premature, so by default only, we'll rank the Tigers at 3.9.
4. Ole Miss
Last week: 6
This week: vs. Georgia Tech
What to know: Lane Kiffin has now won nine consecutive September games dating back to his debut as Rebels coach, a loss to Florida in the season of COVID-19.
5. Alabama
Last week: 2
This week: at South Florida
What to know: Dominated on the line of scrimmage at home? Who are you, and what did you do with Alabama?
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6. Kentucky
Last week: 7
This week: vs. Akron
What to know: Mark Stoops is worried, but hey, he's 2-0. That's a claim almost half the league can't make.
7. Mississippi State
Last week: 9
This week: vs. LSU
What to know: If the worst thing to happen to the Bulldogs on Saturday was a network-televised F-bomb from their new coach, things are just fine in Starkville.
8. Arkansas
Last week: 8
This week: vs. BYU
What to know: Star RB Rocket Sanders couldn't launch Saturday due to a knee injury. It'll be a much bigger concern if there's no lift-off against the Cougars.
9. Texas A&M
Last week: 5
This week: vs. UL-Monroe
What to know: "We ain't worried about expectations," Jimbo Fisher said after a loss to Miami. That's good, because in another month, there might not be any.
10. South Carolina
Last week: 10
This week: at Georgia
What to know: This week will require some special teams wizardry from Shane Beamer in Athens, and that's just to stay close early.
11. Auburn
Last week: 12
This week: vs. Samford
What to know: Lee County invades Berkeley (invade isn't offensive, is it?) and wins a culture clash for the ages.
12. Florida
Last week: 11
This week: vs. Tennessee
What to know: If there's any Swamp magic left at all, Bill Napier had better find it this week.
13. Vanderbilt
Last week: 13
This week: at UNLV
What to know: If UNLV football isn't much improved, the Black Jack tables might be the only place the Commodores take a hit.
14. Missouri
Last week: 14
This week: vs. Kansas State
What to know: Slipping past MTSU in a one-score game at home doesn't push the Tigers out of the cellar. Not even when Vanderbilt takes a loss.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23 and the Talkin' Tide podcast. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: SEC Power Rankings: Who ranks third? Make it Texas, a year early
