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SEC Power Rankings, Week 2: Arkansas rises, Georgia survives

By John Buhler

Sep 10, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Austin Allen (8) celebrates after scoring a two point conversion during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Austin Allen (8) celebrates after scoring a two point conversion during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) fumbles a punt recovered by the Nicholls State Colonels during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Nicholls State 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) fumbles a punt recovered by the Nicholls State Colonels during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Nicholls State 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Wins, But Nothing More

The Georgia Bulldogs have the worst win of any team in the Power 5 this season. They almost blew head coach Kirby Smart’s first game in Athens to FCS Nicholls State. Georgia escaped with a 26-24 victory, but briefly trailed the Colonels 14-13 in the game.

This was true freshman quarterback Jacob Eason’s first start at Georgia. It wasn’t really his fault that the Bulldogs almost suffered an embarrassing home loss. Georgia’s problems on Saturday stemmed from atrocious special teams play and an offensive line that resembled a soggy paper bag.

Georgia dropped from No. 9 in the country to No. 16 in this week’s AP Top 25 Poll. The Bulldogs deserved to be punished for looking that bad against Nicholls State. Coach Smart should be furious in that lackadaisical effort on Saturday. That type of effort in Week 3 at Missouri will guarantee the Bulldogs their first loss of the season.

The Missouri Tigers got head coach Barry Odom his first career win on Saturday night by crushing the Eastern Michigan Eagles, 61-21 in Columbia. While a 61-point offensive output should make the Tigers feeling pretty good about themselves heading into Week 3, keep in mind that Eastern Michigan is one of the worst programs in the MAC.

Sophomore quarterback Drew Lock was slinging the football all across Faurot Field on Saturday night. Lock completed 24 of 37 passes for 450 yards and five touchdowns before giving way to his backup Marvin Zanders.

While the offense was humming for Missouri, the defense gave up 21 points to one of the worst teams in Division I football. Eastern Michigan put up 428 yards of total offense on Missouri Saturday night. The Tigers might have the best pass rush in the SEC, but they can’t afford to give up big plays to Georgia on Saturday like they did to the Eagles this past weekend.

Vanderbilt lost a tough Week 1 game to SEC East rival South Carolina last Thursday night. The Commodores beat Nashville area rival Middle Tennessee State, 47-24 on Saturday night to move to 1-1 on the year.

A 28-point second quarter was the key to the Commodores’ first victory of the season. This game was stop-and-go because of weather delays, but Vanderbilt’s poise and its ability to run the football was the difference in this game. Running back Ralph Webb will play on Sundays. He had 29 carries for 211 yards and two touchdowns.

Though the passing game was slightly better, quarterback Kyle Shurmur has to improve on 15-28 passing for 113 yards and a touchdown. Four yards per attempt doesn’t cut it in the SEC. Vanderbilt can build on this win, but may not be a bowl-caliber team like many expected them to be this fall.

Next: No. 9-6

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