Alabama staying, Missouri rising: SEC Week 5 Rankings
It’s our weekly SEC Rankings.
Honestly, they’ve gotten so hard right now because Auburn might be 1-4 if the SEC Officials had used their brains, but then again might be 4-1 if the SEC Officials had used their brains. Texas A&M might be 2-2 if Dan Mullen’s offense could defend Kellen Mond, and Alabama might be….oh wait…they look unbeatable at the moment.
So here we go. Please note that past No.4, it’s basically a free-for-all until Vanderbilt….who are bottom.
- Alabama (5-0)
The injury to Jaylen Waddle didn’t really slow down the Crimson Tide as they slaughtered Tennessee. Slade Bolden plugged in and put up 94 yards for just six catches. The rest of the Tide are awesome. Sure, there’s going to be a few plugs to fix on the defensive line, but at the moment, who’s going to touch them?
2. Georgia (3-1)
The Dawgs got their only loss from Alabama, and will get their only loss from Alabama. Georgia will work out very quickly that their run:pass game should have a 65:35 mix to it. It will be interesting to see how much Stetson Bennett throws against Kentucky, who have the hosses in the backfield to cause him problems.
3. Texas A&M (3-1)
Can’t wait for the next referendum on Kellen Mond against Arkansas on All Hallow’s Eve, this Saturday.
4. Florida (2-1)
Interestingly, if Florida manages to get away from the COVID issue, they will have had only a few days’ practice before facing Missouri. That said, this is still a very talented Gators team and Kyle Pitts is the best in the business at tight end.
5. Auburn (3-2)
Auburn is the luckiest 3-2 team in the country, after getting reffing calls for two weeks’ straight. But Auburn seems to be learning that if they give the ball to running back Tank Bigsby, good things can happen. The offensive line and defensive lines continue to be a problem, though.
6. Missouri (2-2)
On a two-game winning streak, Missouri HC Eli Drinkwitz managed to completely reorganise the playbook against Kentucky, instead opting for time-of-possession instead of long throws which saw the Wildcat secondary gobble up nine interceptions. Connor Blazelek is an above-average running back, but Missouri also has some above-average players and a good coach. They want that Tennessee game back for sure.
7. LSU (2-2)
The Tigers showed what they can do offensively by ripping South Carolina apart early and often in Death Valley. Sure, the 52-24 scoreline was helped by a pick-6 and a kick-off return for a touchdown, but the offense finally clicked. The Tigers were still getting gashed by Kevin Harris, but LSU may not be as bad as we thought they were. Oh, and new QB TJ Finley might be the find of the SEC season.
8. Arkansas (2-2)
We know the story. Barry Odom is one of the best DCs in the game, and Arkansas are suddenly world-beaters. Fun fact: They aren’t. Feleipe Franks is still a decidedly ordinary quarterback, but he’s lucky that he has a defense – led by Grant Morgan – that will keep the Razorbacks close. It should be pretty interesting against Texas A&M on Saturday night. Those games generally are.
9. Kentucky (2-3)
After their excellent performance against Tennessee, the Wildcats returned to earth with an absolute clunker against Missouri. They were controlled all day long by Missouri – who many thought would be beaten by 10. Terry Wilson is not a very good quarterback, and when an offense doesn’t throw to their secondary, Mark Stoops is going to get found out.
10. Tennessee (2-3)
The Vols are on a massive slide at the moment since crumbling in the second half against Georgia. It’s been awful from then on. Jarrett Guarantano is NOT the answer for the Vols, and Jeremy Pruitt’s stubborness isn’t helping the locker room, either.
11. South Carolina (2-3)
Kevin Harris is an awesome running back, Shi Smith is fun to watch as a wide receiver…..and that’s all we have to say on them. One day they’ll give you hope, the next day they’ll get destroyed. Week before? Beat Auburn. Week after? Get smashed by LSU.
12. Ole Miss (1-4)
They were unfortunate to lose against Auburn, but the fact is this: Ole Miss doesn’t have the defense to contend with anyone right now. Still, they get extra points for Lane Kiffin getting fined by the SEC for protesting the terrible call.
13. Mississippi State (1-3)
Mike Leach’s team got a week’s break to work out where they are as a team. Hopefully the practices will contain such useful moments as: “Pass the ball to a wide receiver instead of someone else’s secondary” as stuff like that. We don’t know, though. We could just write this off as a “First year Mike Leach” thing, though.
14. Vanderbilt (0-3)
Ugh.