SEC power rankings: Embarrassing Week 1 for the SEC East

Week 1 plunged the SEC into early-season chaos. Four teams lost non-conference games, including three losses to non-power 5 teams. 

SEC power rankings for Week 2 after a rough week for the SEC East that saw embarrassing losses by Tennessee to Georgia State, South Carolina to North Carolina and Missouri to Wyoming

The SEC did not look impressive in Week 1 besides Alabama and Georgia. There were embarrassing losses to a Group of 5 schools, a close loss to a border state rival, and an uncompetitive conference match-up. Auburn saved the conference from an even uglier Week 1 with a last-second comeback win vs. Oregon.

The SEC power rankings are top-heavy to start the season with a lot of uncertainty in the middle and bottom.

Arkansas started the season with a lot of question marks. A seven-point win against FCS Portland State does not answer a lot of them. Ben Hicks earned the initial starting role, but only completed 48 percent of his 29 passing attempts for 143 yards and no touchdowns. Rakeem Boyd proved to be their playmaker with 114 rushing yards on 18 carries for a touchdown. The Razorbacks get Ole Miss next week as they ease into SEC play. Until they prove themselves, they stay in the basement of my power rankings.

Ole Miss’ season opener was a tough one to watch. Their defense deserves credit for slowing an otherwise dangerous Memphis offense. The Rebels offense, though, lost this game. The Rebels failed to score in the first half and did not find the end zone until the fourth quarter on Saturday. Redshirt freshmen Matt Corral struggled to find a tempo. He completed just 47 percent of his 19 passing attempts and failed to eclipse 100 yards through the air. Their bright spot, as expected, was Scottie Phillips. He ran for 62 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

I am not surprised Vanderbilt lost. I am disappointed in the way they lost to the Georgia Bulldogs. Derek Mason’s offense played scared. Riley Neal completed 14 passes but averaged just six yards per completion. The Commodores were scared to push the ball downfield and Georgia allowed them to dink and dunk their way into punting situations all night long. It was a tough season opener, so I will not berate them too hard. This week they get Purdue, who will be hungry for a win after a close loss. In a battle of black and gold, we need to see the Commodores come away with a non-conference victory.

Tennessee’s embarrassing showing at home against a Georgia Southern team that had two total wins last season is the biggest blemish from a tough first week for the SEC. We knew the Volunteer’s offensive line was young. They did not just look young against Georgia State, though, they looked overwhelmed. They allowed four sacks and provided little time for Guarantano to work in the pocket.

Guarantano did throw for 311 yards and two touchdowns while completing 65 percent of his passes. The offense, overall, though turned the ball over three times.

The defense got dominated at the line of scrimmage, a scary omen for the rest of the season against much tougher offensive lines. The Volunteers also failed to tackle well; allowing Georgia State quarterback Dan Ellington to shred them through the air and on the ground.

Many have called this loss rock bottom on rocky top. I can not help but agree with them. Tennessee needs to turn things around quickly. This week they have a tough BYU team.

Kentucky moves up by default. It is not exactly flattering but the Wildcats will take it. They were tied with Toledo at halftime but managed to outscore the Rockets 24-10 in the second half to avoid a similar fate as a few of their conference mates in Week 1.

Terry Wilson led their offense. He threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns while completing 73 percent of his attempts. Wilson ran the ball just nine times on the ground and was a non-factor. Asim Rose took the bulk of the work on the ground-rushing for 64 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts.

Kentucky gets another non-conference match-up in Week 2 when they’ll host Eastern Michigan.

The Gamecocks rise in my rankings, despite losing their first game of the season. South Carolina jumped out to an early lead against the border state rival North Carolina. At halftime, they led the Tar Heels 13-6. Going into the fourth quarter, they led 20-9. Mack Brown’s squad, though, found a way to come back.

Jake Bentley’s performance has to be concerning for South Carolina fans. He completed just 53 percent of his 30 passing attempts. He also threw two interceptions and just one touchdown. Still, their loss was respectable and close. That is much better than some other teams can say. This week they get FCS Charleston Southern before heading to Tuscaloosa for a tough Week 3 game.

Missouri’s loss to Wyoming is odd. The fact they opened the season in Laramie is odd. This whole squad right now is, you guessed it, odd.

Things looked routine early, as Missouri got out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Wyoming won the next two-quarters 34-3. Larry Roundtree was shut down; he ran for just 41 yards on 15 attempts. Kelly Bryant looked solid (31-48, 423 yards, 2 touchdowns), but not like the dynamic savior many in Columbia hoped for him to be.

The Tigers were one throw away from pulling out a win against the Cowboys, so I did not plunge them too far down the rankings. Still, this was a bad loss. They need to redeem themselves this week while hosting West Virginia.

The Mississippi State offense looked good in Week 1, an encouraging sign for Joe Moorhead and Bulldogs fans.

Kylin Hill dominated the ground attack. He ran for 197 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Tommy Stevens found the end zone through the air twice and once on the ground. In total, Stevens compiled 273 yards against the Ragin’ Cajuns.

The defense is still coming together as they attempt to fill the massive void left by their graduated playmakers. They have time to keep working on it: this week they take on Southern Mississippi at home.

Things did not look good early on for Auburn or their true freshmen quarterback Bo Nix. They mounted a steady comeback in the primetime slot to prove they deserve to be considered among the best teams in the nation.

Nix displayed true arm talent throughout the game. He also showed a tendency to be over-aggressive; throwing two interceptions and a few more questionable passes. He also scored two touchdowns, including a game-winning one to sophomore Seth Williams.

Whitlow ran the ball 24 times for 110 yards. I mentioned early this season that these three young playmakers would make or break Auburn’s season. In Week 1, they showed up when it mattered and it got their team a big win.

Auburn has a tough schedule ahead of them. They will get a bit of reprieve over the next two weeks, though, starting with a Week 2 game against Tulane.

I was not impressed with Florida in their Week 0 performance against Miami. They have time to work out the kinks in their offense. They host the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks in Week 2 before traveling to Lexington in Week 3. This should be an easy win for them, but the way Week 1 went don’t be surprised if this game is closer than it should be.

In stark contrast with Florida, Texas A&M did impress me in their Week 1 performance against Texas State. To be fair, Miami is a much tougher opponent than Texas State. Still, the Aggies showed me what I needed to see to boost them up in my rankings.

Kellen Mond has the talent to take this program to the next level. He showed off his arm talent and athleticism in Week 1. He completed 70 percent of his 27 passing attempts for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He also found the end zone on the ground.

The Aggies also had two rushers break 100 yards rushing. Jashaun Corbin did it on 22 carries. Isaiah Spiller hit 106 yards on just 7 carries.

We will learn a lot about Texas A&M, win or lose, in Week 2 when they travel to Clemson and take on the defending national champions.

This may be the offense that LSU fans have been waiting for.

Joe Burrow shredded Georgia Southern’s defense. He completed 23-of-27 passing attempts for 278 yards and five touchdowns. He looked poised in the pocket, comfortable with Joe Brady’s offense, and moved the ball effortlessly wherever he wanted it on the field.

The Tigers went four deep at running back. Clyde Edwards-Helaire started the game and scored a touchdown to accompany his 45 yards on 9 carries. John Emery Jr. showed some dynamic playmaking potential on his six carries. Lanard Fournette and Tyrion Davis-Price also had at least 5 carries.

LSU will have a much tougher test in Week 2: they travel to Texas to take on the Longhorns. If they come away with a win on the road I will be very optimistic about their chances of knocking off Alabama in the SEC West.

D’Andre Swift and the Georgia defense dominated Vanderbilt in Week 1.

Swift racked up 149 yards on 16 carries against the Commodores. We also got to see a great glimpse of Zamir White, who ran for 51 yards on 5 carries. Jake Fromm managed the game well; completing 65 percent of his 23 attempts for 156 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.

Vanderbilt squeaked out two field goals but never broke the Bulldogs defense. Georgia could continue to shut their opponents out the end zone for the next two weeks. They host Murray State in Week 2 and Arkansas State in Week 3.

Seeing Alabama dominate a clearly underpowered opponent is almost calming, compared to the stress that the rest of the conference put me through this weekend.

Tua made a much more convincing bid for top NFL draft pick than his counterpart Justin Herbert. He threw for 336 yards and four touchdowns, completing 84 percent of his 31 tries. Jeudy was his favorite target (10 receptions, 137 yards, 1 touchdown) but he also found Jaylen Waddle five times for 90 yards and Devonta Smith five times for 54 yards and a touchdown.

Xavier McKinney led the defense in tackles with eight. Raekwon Davis, Christian Harris, Anfernee Jennings, and Shane Lee all totaled six tackles.

The Crimson Tide face little threat of losing their top spot in Week 2. They will hold New Mexico State.