My SEC East Power Rankings

When it comes to improving SEC teams, I am reminded of a story: If you walk into a room to play poker and you can't look around the table and identify the fish (the weak player), then you're the fish. So goes life in the SEC.


We learned some things this week.

1. Georgia--Despite the close loss on the road to SC, they are still the team to beat in the East. Gurley is a game changer and they have outstanding athletes everywhere.

2. USCe--If we had played A&M that early, we would have lost too. The 'Ol Ball Coach is getting his team better every week and he outcoached Richt last night to steal one from a talented Georgia squad.

3. Mizzou--New players at LB and secondary aren't quite there yet but improved. Big dropoff in talent after the starters at WR but all three are good. Mauk is improved but still somewhat erratic and all three top running backs are dinged up, with Steward likely out for the season.

IMO, there's a big dropoff after the first three teams.

4. Tennessee--Very young lines on both sides of the ball. Better than last year, but may end up with the same record due to an absolutely brutal schedule.

5. Kentucky--Definitely improved but still learning how to win. They gave away the game last night. Exhaustion late indicates lack of depth.

6. Florida--Yes, I know Florida beat Kentucky in 3 OT last night, but here's a sobering thought: That was Florida's easiest conference home game of the season by far. I see 4-5 wins on their schedule. Unless Florida suddenly becomes a completely different team, Muschamp is gone.

7. Vandy--Mason won't make it past this year either if Vandy can afford his buyout. By far the worst team in the SEC. Their precipitous drop is scary. At this point they couldn't beat the vast majority of mid-majors. Mason had never been a head coach before, and the SEC is a rough place to learn how to do it. Ask Muschamp.

What do you guys think?