Power Rankings thread? Yep, it's time.

1. South Carolina

USC appears to be the SEC's most complete team after dominating an average ACC team in every phase, especially in the trenches. With an elite defense, a formidable offensive line, a legendary coach, and skill position stars... South Carolina has formally arrived as an elite SEC team and BCS title contender.

2. Alabama

A potential major weakness was exposed from that young offensive line against an average-at-best ACC team, but they are still the 2-time defending champs and they still have Saban. If anyone can work out the kinks, it's Bama.

3. LSU

A solid win in typical LSU fashion against an average Big 12 team. With the apparent improvement of Mettenberger and still the best raw talent in the SEC, LSU is far from in decline. This is likely a 10+ win team and their talent and coaching could take them even further.

4. Texas A&M

Was the defensive front really that horrific or was it just the missing starters? Is Manziel becoming a distraction and too big for his own shoes or is it just media bashing? Time will tell, but for now a team that had the loftiest of preseason aspirations should certainly be concerned.

5. Ole Miss

With steady quarterback play, an exciting young coach, and a bunch of young new weapons, Ole Miss is still a team on the rise after a thrilling Thursday night road victory against a Vanderbilt team that's no longer a slouch.

6. Georgia

After losing a heartbreaker to one of the best ACC teams, Georgia took a major step backward. They still have an elite offense and the best RB-QB duo in the conference. But what we know for sure is if they're not better than Clemson, they're certainly not the best team in the SEC.

7. Florida

An efficient though certainly not flashy win against Toledo just reinforces what we previously though about Florida: they are a formerly elite program that is still rebuilding and overachieved last season.

8. Vanderbilt

The well-coached Commodores suffered a heartbreaker at home but don't think they're reverting back to the Vandy of old. This is still a solid team that will do a little damage in the east and end up in a bowl game.

9. Arkansas

With nowhere to go but up, Arkansas set off Bielema's debut with a dominating win over UL-Lafayette. Nothing to write home about, but certainly a improvement over last year. This team won't give any of the Western powers trouble but will likely be in the hunt for bowl contention.

10. Auburn

It's ok to be a bit unsure of what Auburn's opening 7-point victory over Washington State means. On one hand, WSU has been one of the worst teams in all of the FBS for years. On the other hand, they have one of the best coaches in the game (Leach) in his second season. There is still a lot of adjusting Malzahn needs to make and despite getting the win, Auburn looked shaky on both sides of the ball at times. Expect them to be an up-and-down team that somehow seems to both improve and regress every week.

11. Missouri

Missouri dominated an FCS team the way an SEC team should. No way will they have the injury trouble they had last year, but this is a team that needs to improve A LOT and quickly before they can climb the SEC ladder.

12. Tennessee

This program and its players have cultivated a losing mentality for a long time, and it will take more than a big win over an FCS team to change that. Don't expect UT to make a marked improvement this year the way some other teams (Auburn, Arkansas) might.

13. Mississippi State

If you have an offensive-minded guru for a coach, and you can only manage 3 points against a Big 12 defense, you've got problems. If you look at their schedule, there doesn't seem to be very many teams the Bulldogs will be able to score on. It's gonna be a long season in Starkville

14. Kentucky

What can you say? Probably the lowest talent level in the SEC and they just lost to mid-major Western Kentucky. This team will be lucky to win one conference game.


genro, week one