I've watched SEC football all of my life. When I first started watching, it was a regional affair with teams competing under the watchful eyes of their fans and the fans of their rivals. However, in the past decade, the SEC has become the standard bearer for college football. And it's gift to us this past weekend was perhaps the most upside down day in the history of the conference. Only 1 team that was favored to win did so. The #6, 7, 11, 15, and 22 teams all lost to teams they were favored to beat. Only #1 Alabama took care of business. Wow.
1) So What Does that Mean - So is the SEC not as good as what we thought? I don't think so. I think that it just goes to tell you how many decent teams are in the conference. Think about it, in a 14 team league there are really only 3 really bad teams, Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Arkansas. The rest are legitimate bowl teams. Florida and UGA have become mediocre teams because of injuries. Just think if they were full strength. These upsets still could have happened. Bob Stoops recently argued that the SEC was top heavy. Hate to break it to ol' Big Game Bob, but the SEC is 11 deep. That's not top heavy, that's parity.
2) Clemson being Clemson - I did pick FSU to win the game Saturday night in Death Valley, but I had no idea they would do so in the fashion that they did. It was a complete domination. When was the last time a #3 team has been beaten so badly at home? I don't know. I also don't know if FSU is my #2 team yet. Don't get me wrong, I'm impressed but still think they have little chance of beating out Alabama and Oregon if both go undefeated.
3) But.... - Oregon's offense is good. No doubt. But their defense is starting to look a little suspect. They also still have to play some decent squads (though I think they'll handle UCLA this weekend). Stanford will give the world a decent idea of how they could match up with Bama. Not saying the two are the same, just saying Stanford is a good team that plays a similar style. I've been on the Ducks bandwagon for a few weeks now as the best team in the country but my belief is starting to waver a little
4) Because.... - Alabama's defense is freakin' good. Take away the A&M game and they have given up 26 points all year. The competition is suspect, but that's an amazing number. We'll see if they can keep up that pace. The problem is, I don't know if they play anyone quite like Oregon other than A&M and we saw that they were vulnerable there.
5) Bullseye - In 3 SEC games this week where upsets happened, players from the favored team were ejected for the new targeting. I saw all 3 plays and have to say that 2 of the 3 were probably warranted. The UGA loss of Ray Drew was perplexing. I wasn't even sure it was a Roughing the Passer penalty, let alone ejection worthy. But the Dawgs did what they could without one of their defensive stars. What they couldn't overcome was the inane rule that when a targeting penalty is called, the ejection can be overturned but not the penalty. UGA made a stop on a 4th down pass over the middle late in the game. Vandy had run a slandt route and the UGA linebacker hit the receiver to dislodge the ball. He led with his shoulder and it happened in a flash. The flag was thrown and the play was reviewed to reveal that there was no penalty. Therefore, the player wasn't ejected but the penalty stood. What? Vandy went on to score and upset the Dawgs. I'm not saying Vandy didn't deserve to win and UGA didn't deserve to lose but that play was a big deal and it didn't make any sense. The rule has to be looked at again.
SEC Power Rankings
14) Arkansas - They've given up 104 straight points. They lose.
13) Kentucky - They're not as bad as Arkansas
12) Miss State - Favored by 10 over UK this weekend. I guess that means they are better.
11) Tennessee - Very impressed with the job Butch Jones is doing but I can't quite move them ahead of a team that dismantled them.
10) Florida - Their offense is anemic and that's being generous. No starting QB and no starting RB does make an excuse. However, their vaunted defense just gave up 500+ yards. Not good.
9) Vanderbilt - Played well against a decimated UGA team after a bye. Let's see how they do on the road against a pissed off A&M this week.
8) Ole Miss - Great game against LSU. Don't forget the 3 straight losses before that.
7) Georgia - In a real fight with Florida for the most injury ravaged team in the country. But a bye week before the Cocktail Party might help a little. Defense and special teams still not good though.
6) South Carolina - This team has been a mess other than the game against Arkansas. But they still have a lot of talent and win more than they lose.
5) Texas A&M - Johnny Manziel is awesome. The defense is one of the worst I've ever seen.
4) LSU - What a whiff against Ole Miss. Zach Mettenberger remembered his past and it cost him.
3) Auburn - Gus Malzahn has the Tigers rolling.
2) Missouri - They were the injury riddled team last year. This year they are out to prove they belong in the SEC.
1) Bama - No surprise here.
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