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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NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 02: LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) rushes the ball during a football game between the LSU Tigers and the BYU Cougars in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans Louisiana on September 2, 2017. (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 02: LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) rushes the ball during a football game between the LSU Tigers and the BYU Cougars in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans Louisiana on September 2, 2017. (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
4

Auburn Tigers (1-0)

Last week: Win vs. Georgia Southern, 41-7
Last rank: 3rd

We’ll know much more about the Auburn Tigers after this upcoming weekend’s game on the road versus the Clemson Tigers. Many view Auburn as the second-best team in the SEC, and they wouldn’t be wrong. However, winning 41-7 over Georgia Southern doesn’t exactly indicate much when it comes to how Auburn will match up with Clemson on Saturday.

Auburn looks to be sound defensively with Kevin Steele calling the shots. One could argue that hiring Chip Lindsey as offensive coordinator was the best move any SEC program made to their coaching staff. However, Auburn’s season comes down to how former Baylor starter Jarrett Stidham does in Gus Malzahn’s hurry-up-and-run offense. It broke Sean White. Let’s hope Malzahn doesn’t drive his shiny new toy into the ground this time in Stidham.

3

LSU Tigers (1-0)

Last week: Win vs. BYU, 27-0
Last rank: 4th

Coach O might have a good team this year in Baton Rouge. The Bayou Bengals went out and crushed the strong independent football program that is the BYU Cougars, 27-0. We know that LSU will be sound defensively, as Orgeron is a great teacher in the front-seven. Let’s not forget that the Tigers might have the best offensive player in the SEC in junior running back Derrius Guice.

At this point, LSU feels like the most worthy adversary in the SEC West for the Alabama Crimson Tide. LSU can hang tough with the Crimson Tide in a defensive battle, but can the Tigers generate enough offense to win when they meet? Quarterback remains a big issue in Baton Rouge, one they may not be available to overcome.

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