All was well in the Southeast after Week 1. The only loss in the SEC was Vanderbilt and many thought that might happen against a better than people realize WKU team. Ten SEC teams graced the AP Top 25, a feat that no other conference had ever attained. There were big wins against other Power 5 conferences by South Carolina, Alabama, Auburn, and Texas A&M. Coaches went out of their way to criticize the only possible title contender from another conference.
Then Week 2 came along and shattered all of that...
Auburn almost lost to Jacksonville State. Georgia struggled to put away that same meek Vanderbilt team. Florida struggled against ECU. Tennessee blew the largest lead it ever had at Neyland Stadium and lost to another ranked team. Missouri struggled in a road game against Arkansas State. Arkansas had an embarrassing loss to Toledo where they didn't run the ball and their QB fell apart inside the 20.
So after being heaped with praise after Week 1, everyone is down on the SEC in after week 2. My answer is this...we all knew what the SEC was before the season and (maybe other than Auburn) it is what we thought.
Most people felt Alabama and Auburn were the title contenders out of the West. This hasn't really changed despite Auburn's poor efforts. Jeremy Johnson is a major concern at this point but Gus Mahlzahn's teams usually get better as the season progresses. I would expect that to still be the case here. However, they need to figure something out against LSU this week or they will be in trouble. Alabama has been fine in the first two weeks. However, all of that could change with what appears to be an explosive Ole Miss team rolling into Tuscaloosa this week.
Elsewhere in the West, LSU appears to be what we thought they were; a super talented team that can't throw the ball. Despite that flaw, they managed a tough win on the road against Miss State. Ole Miss could be the real deal as they have put up basketball numbers through the first two weeks albeit it was against cupcakes. The Rebels could launch themselves into the playoff discussion with a win this week. Texas A&M was a darkhorse for a lot of folks prior to the season. Early results say they could be that. Their win over Arizona State is the conference's best so far this season. Arkansas was the darling of many prior to the season but I think most folks didn't think they had the depth to win the West or make the playoff. It appears clear that is true. Mississippi State played hard the other night but no one believed they would be a player after losing a lot of talent.
So after two weeks the West still has 5 legitimate playoff contenders. Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU, Texas A&M, and Auburn (in that order right now). That will change as 4 of those teams face off against each other this week.
The East was always going to be the lesser here.. Tennessee's game against Oklahoma was a big one for the Vols and losing it (especially in the fashion they did) hurts. I still would contend if they could run the table with wins against Georgia and Alabama, plus whoever they faced in the SEC Championship, they would be a playoff contender.
Georgia always struggles at Vanderbilt. First road start in the SEC for Greyson Lambert and he looked it. But don't underestimate Vandy's defense. They are the best part of that team by far.The good news is that the UGA defense and running game still looked really good. However, the mistakes have to be cleaned up if the Dawgs are going to run the table or even end with 1 loss. That starts with a visit by the HBC this weekend. Georgia is the superior team but Coach Spurrier always seems to have a little something for them.
Unfortunately, South Carolina appears to have been reduced to spoiler this season.
Technically you could say Missouri, Kentucky, and Florida are still alive. However I don't think anyone ever felt as if anyone other than Mizzou might have a chance in the conference. Personally, I just don't think Maty Mauk is consistent enough to give them a chance in the long run. Vandy isn't going anywhere this year.
So, by my count there are still 7 potential playoff teams still alive in the SEC. Things will continue to shake out and only 1 (most likely) will get in. But that's always how a season plays out. Some teams aren't as good as we thought (possibly Auburn). Some are better than we thought (possibly Ole Miss or Texas A&M).
Yes, this week the conference didn't look like the powerhouse it did in Week 1. But, no, the sky is not falling. There are still some good teams in the SEC. I still feel as if they will be well represented as the season progresses.
So don't freak out....yet.
Power Rankings
(1) Texas A&M - They still have the best win in the conference. Plus, they took care of business last week.
(2) Alabama - We'll know a lot more after this week. Their win over Wisconsin is the 2nd best win in the conference and they took care of business last week.
(3) LSU - Hard fought road victory against a conference opponent.
(4) Georgia - See above. But they have to get the QB issues worked out if they are truly a contender.
(5) Ole Miss - They look great. Against cream puffs. Let's see what they look like this week in Tuscaloosa.
(6) Auburn - Survive and advance. People won't remember this game against Jax State if Auburn wins the rest of their games. Remember UGA getting destroyed by Carolina and being one play away from the National Championship a couple of years ago?
(7) Kentucky - It hasn't been pretty. But they're 2-0
(8) Mizzou - See above
(9) Florida - See above
(10) Tennessee - Yes they lost. Yes it was horrible. They'll still be contending in the East.
(11) Mississippi State - Tough way to lose against LSU. This team is going to pick somebody off if they aren't careful.
(12) South Carolina - Not good losing Connor Mitch, but they still almost came back against the Cats with their back-up.
(13) Arkansas - Why can't they run the ball against Toledo?
(14) Vanderbilt - Inspired effort against the Dawgs. Just not much talent on offense at all.
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