Week 7 Power Rankings

Seven weeks into the season and it’s still impossible to figure out this crazy conference. Just when LSU appeared to be on its way to the title game, Andre Woodson and the Wildcats came out and reminded the folks in Lexington that basketball season doesn’t start for another month.

Coming up with the power rankings this week proved to be more challenging than usual, probably because teams have been so up and down. While the order may be up for debate, I think I’ve grouped the teams in the proper categories.

LSU remains No. 1 based on the fact that they were on the road and that they beat South Carolina, who rolled over the Wildcats. This weekend should be telling as Florida plays at Kentucky.

Two teams to watch out for are Tennessee and Auburn. Despite sluggish starts, both squads are playing well, and with just one conference loss apiece, remain in the hunt for the conference title.

I’m not as sold on Georgia and Alabama. The Crimson Tide were lucky to take down Ole Miss and the Bulldogs needed a Cassen Jackson-Garrison fumble late in the fourth quarter to beat a Vanderbilt team that got pounded by Auburn.

Perhaps the hardest part of the rankings was coming up with the order of the final four teams, all of which deserve to be last. Arkansas is winless in the SEC and despite playing at home with two stud running backs, couldn’t find the end zone against Auburn until the last minute. The Commodores bounced back in a big way against Georgia, but they still found a way to lose so it’s tough to give them too much credit. Meanwhile, Mississippi State got smacked by Tennessee and Ole Miss came up short against Bama.

Finally, onto the rankings…Disagree? Let us know.

CREAM OF THE CROP

1. LSU (6-1, 3-1)
In the craziest college football season I can remember, the Tigers still have a strong chance of playing in the national title game, which means they need to prepare themselves for a very good Auburn team this weekend.

2. South Carolina (6-1, 3-1)
Steve Spurrier has never lost to Vanderbilt. Things won’t change Saturday when the Commodores head to Columbia.

3. Kentucky (6-1, 2-1)
How ridiculous is it that Andre Woodson apparently checked off on half of the Wildcats’ plays against LSU?

4. Florida (4-2, 2-2)
There’s no doubt that the Gators’ make-or-break game comes this weekend in Lexington.

DARKHORSES

5. Tennessee (4-2, 2-1)
Don’t look now but the Vols have won three straight games.

6. Auburn (5-2, 3-1)
While their offensive performance against Arkansas was pitiful, the Tiger defense is pretty darn good. It should be a great one in Baton Rouge on Saturday.

HOT AND COLD

7. Georgia (5-2, 3-2)
Two things about Georgia: 1) Quarterback Matthew Stafford, much like the team itself, is hard to figure out. 2) Freshman running back Knowshon Moreno is going to be a stud.

8. Alabama (5-2, 3-1)
How much would you pay to see Saban and Orgeron go head-to-head in a steel cage match? I’d say at least a hundred.

BOTTOM FEEDERS

9. Arkansas (3-3, 0-3)
“We have to score more points,” said coach Houston Nutt. You think?

10. Vanderbilt (3-3, 1-2)
A few things about the Commodores: 1) Quarterback Mackenzi Adams give them the best chance to win. 2) CB/WR/KR D.J. Moore is a pleasure to watch. 3) Where are they going to get their sixth win?

11. Mississippi State (4-3, 1-3)
Sadly, a bowl game isn’t out of the question for the Bulldogs.

12. Ole Miss (2-5, 0-4)
For the record, my money would be on Coach O in the cage match.