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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; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Alvin Kamara (6) scores a touchdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the third quarter at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Alvin Kamara (6) scores a touchdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the third quarter at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /

Quality Wins

After a hard-fought battle against the Clemson Tigers in Week 1, the Auburn Tigers came out firing on all cylinders in Week 2 against the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Auburn beat head coach Gus Malzahn’s former employer, 51-14 convincingly.

Three things stood out for Auburn in this easy victory for the Tigers: 1.) Sean White is the starting quarterback. 2.) This Kevin Steele defense might actually be for real in 2016. 3.) Auburn has a great running back in Kerryon Johnson.

These are three things Auburn was uncertain about last season. Peyton Barber was a decent tailback, but Johnson, Steele, and White might be the reason Auburn wins eight or nine games this fall to make the SEC West even more interesting.

The Florida Gators did what they do every year and beat their SEC East rival in the Kentucky Wildcats. Florida clobbered Kentucky 45-7 to move to 2-0 on the year and got back into the AP Top 25 because of its domination of the Wildcats.

Quarterback Luke Del Rio and wide receiver Antonio Callaway are giving head coach Jim McElwain the balance he’ll need on offense to repeat in the SEC East. Del Rio threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns on Kentucky. Callaway had five catches for 129 yards and a pay dirt.

Florida will again lean on its defensive personnel in 2016, but might have the offense to be a dark horse College Football Playoff contender. The Gators are off to a great start in SEC play with a dominant win over doormat Kentucky.

The Tennessee Volunteers got a win in the most high-profile game of the weekend by winning the Battle of Bristol over the Virginia Tech Hokies, 45-24, on Saturday night. Tennessee improves to 2-0 on the year and should be one of the better teams in the SEC this year.

Tennessee ran all over the Hokies with 239 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs had an extra three passing touchdowns in this convincing win over Virginia Tech.

That being said, Virginia Tech’s self-destruction cannot be overstated. The Hokies outgained Tennessee in yardage 400-300 but had five costly fumbles to give the game to the Volunteers. Dobbs only had 91 passing yards in this game. Tennessee gets a marquee victory over the Hokies but needs to get better in the passing game to play in a meaningful bowl game.

Next: No. 2-1

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