Are we starting to see separation in the middle of the pack in the SEC? Or do we need a few more weeks? Here are the power rankings heading into Week 3.
Overall, the SEC went 10-3 last week with the Florida Gators being idle after their home opener against the Northern Colorado Bears was canceled due to Hurricane Irma. Falling to the wayside in Week 2 were the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Auburn Tigers and the Missouri Tigers.
Missouri looked lost in its SEC home opener versus the division rival South Carolina Gamecocks in the Battle of Columbia 31-13. Auburn didn’t get into the end zone in Death Valley, losing the No. 3 Clemson Tigers, 14-6. Then there was whatever Arkansas did to blow that game at home to the No. 23 TCU Horned Frogs, 28-7.
It wasn’t all bad for the SEC in Week 2. The Georgia Bulldogs got a huge road win against the No. 24 Notre Dame Fighting Irish with a backup quarterback under center in Jake Fromm, 20-19. Ed Orgeron’s LSU Tigers powered through the Chattanooga Mocs 45-10 to improve to 2-0.
Let’s not forget that Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide continue to roll. Its latest victim were Jeff Tedford’s Fresno State Bulldogs. Alabama cruised to 2-0 by beating Fresno State 41-10. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the SEC power rankings heading into Week 3 of the 2017 college football season.
Congratulations, Mizzou. Your 72-point showing against the Missouri State Bears fooled absolutely no one about where you stand in the 2017 SEC hierarchy. While we’ve known that the up-tempo offense of Josh Heupel has quarterback Drew Lock throwing for a ton of yards and touchdowns, it doesn’t work in the SEC.
Missouri lost its SEC home opener to division rival South Carolina, 31-13. The Battle of Columbia went the way of the Gamecocks. This is only his second year on the job, but Missouri has to be concerned where Barry Odom has this program heading. Are we sure Mizzou will win an SEC game this year?
Though the Kentucky Wildcats are 2-0, needing just four more W’s to go bowling, head coach Mark Stoops can’t be thrilled with what he’s seen so far out of his team in the non-conference. Kentucky has two wins, but by a combined 18 points to non-Power 5 teams.
Sure, winning on the road in Hattiesburg rights the wrong that Kentucky did to itself last year against Southern Miss. However, beating Eastern Kentucky by just 11 points shouldn’t have Big Blue Nation feeling overly confident about beating South Carolina and Florida in their next two games.