My SEC Power Rankings After Week 1

The SEC couldn’t have asked for a much better opening weekend.

All 16 teams won.

Some destroyed inferior opponents. Others barely survived. And LSU made arguably the biggest statement in college football by embarrassing Clemson 51-10. The SEC went 16-0 in Week 1 for the first time since 1997.

After one week, here’s how I’d rank all 16 teams.

16. Arkansas

Arkansas beat North Alabama 31-14, but it wasn’t particularly impressive. The Razorbacks allowed three sacks, lost two fumbles and were only up 14-0 at halftime.

Somebody has to be last.

15. Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt handled Austin Peay 28-9, but the offense wasn’t explosive at all. Life after Diego Pavia could be an adjustment.

14. Kentucky

Kentucky quietly had a solid opener.

Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-13 win over Youngstown State.

13. Mississippi State

Maybe Mississippi State deserves more respect.

The Bulldogs destroyed ULM 62-13, with Kamario Taylor accounting for five touchdowns and more than 400 total yards.

12. Auburn

Auburn won, but barely.

The Tigers escaped Baylor 17-16 after Baylor failed on a late two-point conversion. That’s a Power Four win, but Auburn certainly didn’t look like an SEC contender yet.

11. South Carolina

South Carolina did exactly what it was supposed to do against Kent State.

57-0.

LaNorris Sellers threw for 270 yards and three touchdowns, and the Gamecocks defense didn’t allow a point.

10. Missouri

Missouri destroyed Arkansas-Pine Bluff 54-14 and remains a team that could quietly become dangerous in the SEC.

We’ll learn much more once the competition improves.

9. Florida

Florida scored 66 points against FAU.

The Gators forced three turnovers and looked explosive offensively, although allowing 396 yards to FAU leaves something to clean up.

8. Tennessee

Tennessee rolled up 638 yards of offense in a 56-9 destruction of Furman.

The Vols looked good. Now we need to see it against somebody better.

7. Ole Miss

Ole Miss had to fight for this one.

The Rebels survived No. 24 Louisville 41-38 on a game-winning field goal, with Deuce Alexander exploding for 159 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

It wasn’t dominant, but beating a ranked opponent matters.

6. Alabama

This looked much more like Alabama.

The Crimson Tide beat East Carolina 48-10, scoring on their first five possessions while Keelon Russell accounted for 335 total yards in his first career start.

5. Texas A&M

Maybe the Aggies are for real.

Texas A&M destroyed Missouri State 50-0 and allowed just 67 total yards.

The opponent wasn’t impressive, but that defensive performance certainly was.

4. Oklahoma

Oklahoma might have the best defense in the SEC.

The Sooners shut out UTEP 51-0 and scored on every possession through the first three quarters.

We’ll find out a lot more about Oklahoma when Michigan comes to Norman.

3. LSU

Nobody made a bigger statement in Week 1.

LSU absolutely destroyed Clemson 51-10, outgaining the Tigers 644-145 while rushing for 309 yards. It was the worst loss of Dabo Swinney’s 19-season tenure.

Lane Kiffin’s team already looks like a legitimate national championship contender.

2. Texas

Texas did exactly what an elite team should do against Texas State.

59-7.

Arch Manning threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns, and the Longhorns finished with 516 total yards.

Now comes the real test: No. 1 Ohio State.

1. Georgia

Until somebody knocks Georgia off, I’m keeping the Bulldogs at No. 1.

Georgia demolished Tennessee State 63-3, outgaining the Tigers 660-109. Gunner Stockton completed 15-of-16 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns, while Nate Frazier added three rushing scores.

LSU made the bigger Week 1 statement.

Texas has the biggest game this weekend.

But right now, Georgia is still the team to beat in the SEC.

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