SEC Power Rankings updated after Week 2 of college football
The latest SEC Power Rankings from On3, utilizing the On3 Massey Ratings, are in after Week 1 of the college football regular season.
The On3 Massey Ratings – which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated high school sports team rankings since 1995 – rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.
While the team at the top remained the same this week there was plenty of shuffling further down. So without further ado, let’s examine this week’s SEC Power Rankings.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
One week after smashing Clemson at a neutral site, Georgia had an easier opponent at home. But lest you fear the Bulldogs might have a letdown, quarterback Carson Beck was on point throughout the day Saturday to ensure there was not.
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Beck completed his first 11 passes before a misfire, unlocking all areas of the field with his arm and hitting several different targets. If there’s a weak spot for this Georgia team it’s hard to identify so far.
2. Texas Longhorns (+1)
You could probably say the same for Texas, which went on the road in the marquee game of the week and whooped Michigan at the Big House. The Longhorns looked like a veteran team that knows it’s got bigger ambitions down the road.
The team’s defense surrendered fewer than 300 yards on the afternoon and came away with two interceptions during the contest. Meanwhile, Quinn Ewers was near perfect in a 246-yard, three-touchdown performance. Crisp.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (-1)
Alabama drops one spot in the SEC Power Rankings this week after Texas’ impressive result and a bit of a slog for the Crimson Tide. For two years in a row, USF has managed to make it a competitive game against Alabama before ultimately fading late.
The big eye-opener was the success USF had on the ground. Alabama surrendered 206 yards rushing in the contest. That’s not what we’re typically used to seeing from the Tide and it must be shored up going forward.
4. Tennessee Volunteers (+3)
In one of the biggest non-conference games so far this season, Tennessee more than proved its mettle against NC State. And quarterback Nico Iamaleava refuses to blink.
The second-year star is proving he’s pretty unflappable. He did it with his arms and his legs on Saturday night, smacking the Wolfpack to the tune of a 51-10 score line. Underestimate the Vols at your own peril at this point.
5. Ole Miss Rebels (-1)
Ole Miss has faced two pretty easy opponents so far, feasting on Furman and MTSU. But the Rebels have done just that: feast. The offense has put up more than 50 points in both games and quarterback Jaxson Dart continues to pile up big numbers.
The Rebels will get a slightly stiffer test this upcoming week when they travel to Wake Forest. But the schedule is very navigable and Ole Miss could easily be 6-0 going into the LSU game on Oct. 12. That’s when things could get interesting.
6. Oklahoma Sooners (-1)
It was a tough test for Oklahoma this week, but probably a little tougher than it should have been. Houston held its own and really thwarted the Oklahoma offense for most of the day.
The Sooners have relied heavily on their defense to this point as quarterback Jackson Arnold and company continue to try to iron out the kinks. Oklahoma has to figure it out in a hurry; Tennessee looms in two weeks.
7. Missouri Tigers (-1)
A lot of the talk about the Tigers has been about quarterback Brady Cook and receiver Luther Burden, but the Missouri defense is also turning some heads at this point. It’s been back-to-back shutouts for the Tigers, who have allowed just 254 total yards through two games — best in the country.
The schedule is pretty manageable for Missouri the whole way through, but next week’s contest against a ranked Boston College squad might be the toughest test for a hot minute. Can Cook and company keep cruising?
8. South Carolina Gamecocks (+4)
The biggest jump in this week’s SEC Power Rankings belongs to South Carolina, which leaps four spots to No. 8. South Carolina turned things around in a major way after struggling with Old Dominion in Week 1.
The defense put the clamps down on Kentucky and forced two interceptions while holding the Wildcats to just 3.0 yards per carry. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers returned from a brief exit due to injury to finish with two touchdown passes as the offense took advantage of some short fields to finish off Kentucky 31-6.
9. LSU Tigers (-1)
It took a little while for LSU to pull away, but the Tigers eventually managed to do so in a win over Nicholls. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was once again sharp, throwing for 302 yards and six touchdowns in the win.
The real concern for LSU at this point has to be the run game, which hasn’t produced much through two games. That’s a real surprise behind an offensive line that many analysts thought might be one of the best in the country. Coach Brian Kelly acknowledged the issue and said his staff has to find a way to coach better.
10. Texas A&M Aggies
The strong Texas A&M backfield emerged in a big way against McNeese, with the Aggies piling up 333 yards rushing and five scores on the ground. Running backs Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels led the way, each scoring twice.
Quarterback Conner Weigman wasn’t asked to do too much but was improved, throwing for 125 yards with two touchdowns in the contest. Texas A&M had the game put away by halftime, and McNeese only scored in garbage time late.
SEC Power Rankings: 11-16
11. Kentucky Wildcats (-2)
12. Auburn Tigers (-1)
13. Arkansas Razorbacks
14. Florida Gators (+1)
15. Mississippi State Bulldogs (-1)
16. Vanderbilt Commodores
Kentucky slips a couple of spots in this week’s SEC Power Rankings, while Florida’s win over Samford and quarterback DJ Lagway‘s strong start allowed the Gators to move past the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The coming weeks should continue to sort out the bottom half of the rankings, especially with a few teams set to meet head to head.