SEC power rankings, Week 2: Alabama shines, Texas A&M collapses
By John Buhler
![PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Kellen Mond No. 11 of the Texas A&M Aggies is sacked by Jacob Tuioti-Mariner No. 91 of the UCLA Bruins during the second half of a game at the Rose Bowl on September 3, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Kellen Mond No. 11 of the Texas A&M Aggies is sacked by Jacob Tuioti-Mariner No. 91 of the UCLA Bruins during the second half of a game at the Rose Bowl on September 3, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/76c3a5a0eb267c4f1ed0ef064fae9edc4d5512b2bd34113ff2098ac1ede7b34d.jpg)
Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-0)
Last week: Win vs. Charleston Southern, 49-0
Last rank: 11th
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The Mississippi State Bulldogs needed to play very well in Week 1 versus the FCS Charleston Southern Buccaneers to get their season off on the right foot. It was certainly a better start than last year when Mississippi State dropped a game at home to the South Alabama Jaguars on a missed field goal.
Instead, Dan Mullen’s team crushed Charleston Southern to the tune of 49-0. Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald is showing that he might be the most talented signal caller in the league. The only problem for the Bulldogs is that their schedule gets brutal starting on the 16th when they face LSU, Auburn and Georgia in succession to close out September.
Florida Gators (0-1)
Last week: Loss vs. Michigan, 33-17
Last rank: 5th
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Florida played an embarrassing game against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday. Jim Harbaugh took Jim McElwain’s in-game strategy and destroyed it immediately. Sure, Florida was playing without 10 players due to suspension, but the Gators were absolutely pasted by the Wolverines, 33-17. The score was closer than what it looked like on the field.
Neither Gators quarterback — Feleipe Franks or Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire — impressed. McElwain can’t blame this loss on having former Will Muschamp recruits. It’s his third year in the SEC, coming off back-to-back SEC East titles. The Gators won’t look this bad for most of the season, but that was easily the worst performance of any SEC team during Labor Day weekend.