SEC is stacked this year. I genuinely don't see a team who will crash and burn in SEC play like we've seen over the past few years, so ranking the middle pack is harder than ever. Here goes:

1. Texas A&M (6-0): With blowout wins at USC and vs. WVU, it's hard not to rank them #1. They have one more tough game before SEC play, Arizona, and they could realistically go into SEC play undefeated. With their talent and experience in the frontcourt and an upgraded PG, this team will be in the mix for a 1 or 2 seed in March.

2. Florida (5-1): Couldn't close out against Duke, but I think everyone has been impressed by Florida's explosiveness and toughness out on the perimeter. Once Egbunu returns, Florida becomes an obvious Final Four candidate. Already with a signature win over Gonzaga, Florida has tough games against FSU and Cincinnati upcoming.

3. Arkansas (5-1): Also impressive in the PK80, beating an at-large team in Oklahoma and destroying UConn's hopes and dreams, Arkansas has a few tough games left (@Houston, Minnesota). This team won't be sweating on Selection Sunday.

4. Kentucky (6-1): While they lost the one high-profile game they've played so far, they've taken care of business against some tough mid-majors. I don't know how well this team will do early in SEC play, but obviously they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

5. Alabama (5-1): Playing 3v5 may have been what made headlines, but make no mistake, Minnesota was outclassing Alabama 5v5. This is an uber-athletic team that will look a bit inconsistent at times this year due to inexperience, and John Petty's injury looms over the program. But make no mistake, no one wants to face Collin Sexton in the last five minutes of a close game.

6. Tennessee (4-1): Looking way better than silly preseason projections, this tough UT team beat Purdue and NC State in the Bahamas and held their own with Villanova. Offensively this team isn't much, but their toughness and grit down low is unmatched.

7. Missouri (5-2): Collapsing late against WVU put a damper on what was a successful tourney for Mizzou. Most teams won't be able to pressure like WVU. Even without MPJ, it's clear this team will be fighting for a tourney bid.

8. Georgia (5-1): Another team who had a better-than-expected tourney, UGA won a true road game, lost in a close one to SDSU, and beat St Mary's in OT. Turtle Jackson has stepped up at PG in JJ's absence, and Crump showed flashes coming up big against St Mary's. If Maten gets consistent help this could be an at-large team.

9. Ole Miss (4-1): Another team that's lost its only high-profile game but has taken care of business against good mid-majors. This team can score in bunches, with a ton of shooting options. They need more out of their bigs, though.

10. South Carolina (4-1): Computer rankings really like them so far, and who knows, Martin may be able to get enough out of this team defensively to make a run at an at-large bid. They are one of the more limited teams in the conference offensively, though, which showed up in their loss to Illinois State.

11. Auburn (4-1): If they ever get Wiley back, they'll be higher. Right now they're similar to Ole Miss with less depth. Computer rankings do like them, though, and I won't count them out of getting into the at-large discussion

12. LSU (3-2): Surprising win over Michigan and then came back down to earth. Waters will shoot them into games that they'll have no business being in this year, and their frontcourt is solid, but they don't have the defense to compete consistently yet.

13. Mississippi State (5-0): Might not make a lot of sense to put one of the two undefeated teams second-to-last, but they haven't played anyone, and haven't looked impressive in their close wins over mid-majors.

14. Vanderbilt (2-4): I don't think Vandy is the worst team in the conference but they have to be here now. Their non-conference schedule doesn't get much easier either.