Fansided

SEC Power Rankings, Week 5: Crimson Tide, Aggies Elite; Vols Lucky

By John Buhler

Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) is carried off the field by team mates after catching the game winning touchdown pass against the Georgia Bulldogs on the last play on the game during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) is carried off the field by team mates after catching the game winning touchdown pass against the Georgia Bulldogs on the last play on the game during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers interim head coach Ed Orgeron celebrates following a win in his first game against the Missouri Tigers at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Missouri 42-7. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers interim head coach Ed Orgeron celebrates following a win in his first game against the Missouri Tigers at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Missouri 42-7. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Wins, but nothing more

How is a 42-7 home victory over an SEC team considered meaningless? Well, the LSU Tigers already had two losses on the year going in, but have turned the page on the Les Miles era in Baton Rouge.

LSU came out in Week 5 and stomped all over the Missouri Tigers in interim head coach Ed Orgeron’s first game leading the Bayou Bengals. Coach O has long been considered one of the best assistant coaches in the game.

His players absolutely love him, but athletic directors haven’t been willing to give him a second shot at leading a college team full-time after failing at Ole Miss a decade ago. Could Orgeron get the interim tag removed at season’s end? With more wins like the one his Tigers had over Missouri, it could definitely happen.

Auburn improved to 3-2 on the year by crushing Louisiana Monroe, 58-7 on Saturday in Week 5. With the Tigers’ two losses this season coming to two top-10 teams in Clemson and Texas A&M, maybe Auburn is more legit than we give them credit for?

The Tigers have won two in a row after beating LSU in Week 4. Should Auburn beat Mississippi State in Week 6, there is a great chance the Tigers get into the AP Top 25 Poll. Offensively, this team is hit or miss, but the defense under defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is night and day better than in years past on The Plains.

Steele and his defensive players will carry this team to maybe as many nine or 10 wins this season. Auburn still has plenty of tough games remaining on the slate, but the Tigers should be good enough to go bowling this winter.

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