Fansided

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) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 02: Jake Bentley No. 19 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts after defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack 35-28 during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 02: Jake Bentley No. 19 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts after defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack 35-28 during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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South Carolina Gamecocks (1-0)

Last week: Win vs. North Carolina State, 35-28
Last rank: 8th

While it didn’t have the hype as some of the other games on the slate in Week 1, the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the North Carolina State Wolfpack in Charlotte was an excellent one. We have to give major credit to Will Muschamp and the job he’s doing with this South Carolina program.

It’s obvious that second-year starting quarterback Jake Bentley is the real deal. South Carolina looks to be tighter than most of the teams Muschamp coached in Florida. While saying the Gamecocks can win the SEC East in 2017 may be a bit of stretch in early September, this is going bowling and could be a dark horse to get to Atlanta out of the East. This might be the best team in the SEC East after their rival Georgia Bulldogs.

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Arkansas Razorbacks (1-0)

Last week: Win vs. Florida A&M, 49-7
Last rank: 6th

After the Week 1 slate of games, the hardest team to figure out in the SEC is the Arkansas Razorbacks. Though the Hogs won 49-7 during Labor Day weekend, that was against the Florida A&M Rattlers. Arkansas has been able to beat inferior teams badly under head coach Bret Bielema, but how good will this team be this year?

The Razorbacks are probably a top-half team in the SEC at season’s end. Look for the Hogs to win somewhere in the seven to 10 range this fall. Having a proven passer in Austin Allen amplifies their ability to be a contender. The problem is that the SEC West is a gauntlet, but Arkansas may only be the fourth-best team in its own division.

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