1.) Alabama - Offense looked in mid-season form, however you should look good when you play San Jose St. Defense looked VERY unpolished, and at times just totally lost. Nothing to knock them out of the 1 spot though.
2.) Georgia - Despite not having All World receiver AJ Green, the Bulldogs Offense put on a decent game. Murray didn't look bad, although averaging under 10 yards per completion could be a worry down the road. Defense looked as good as you should playing LA-Lafayette.
3.) Arkansas - The Offense was great. The Defense limited an over-matched Tennessee Tech team. The biggest problem...turnovers. They finished the game with a -3 turnover ratio. Not going to cut it down the road.
4.) South Carolina - To be honest, I had a hard time putting USC-e here. Although just glancing at the score seems to indicate the Gamecocks put a whooping on USM...they managed to do it while ALLOWING over 400 yards of Offense. For such a vaunted Defense(#3 in the SEC last year), they sure didn't look that good.
5.) Auburn - Cam Newton is gifted. Though is it a product of playing Arkansas St.? We'll soon find out. The defense, however, doesn't seem to have a clue right now. Next week (@Miss St.) will be a good barometer for the Barners.
6.) Mississippi St. - They got exactly what they needed out of game one. Lots of reps for back-ups, a nice confidence booster to open the season, and still had some areas where Mullen can push them. All that being said, Memphis is far from being SEC caliber. So as I stated above, this coming weeks game is a barometer for the Bulldogs.
7.) Florida - Now, I think we all witnessed what a first game hiccup looks like. The Tebow era is over, and most people (myself included) though Florida had the potential to be better without him (he limits the Offense). There were NO signs of that in week 1. The offense limped to a meager 212 yards (the same amount as Miami(OH), and if not for Demps' long TD run they wouldn't have broken 50 yards rushing. They put the ball on the ground 6 times (losing 3). The only slightly bright spot? The defense played well in limiting the Redhawks to 12 points with as many bad positions as the Offense put them in.
8.) Tennessee - Making the biggest jump this week, the Volunteers. They couldn't have opened the season any better. Over 500 yards of Offense, while giving up less than 150 yards on Defense. Lots of players got PT, and it looked like some of them actually may have talent. The downside...UT Martin isn't on the schedule again...
9.) LSU - The headlines in Louisiana this morning should read "Despite best efforts, Tigers walk away with a victory!" LSU (aside from an 8 minute stretch int he second quarter) looked awful. There was no pass defense (412 yards), and Jordan Jefferson still looked like...well...Jordan Jefferson. Michigan, I hope your ready...Les Miles is on his way.
10.) Kentucky - Not a lot to say here. Kentucky beats Louisville. They didn't play well, they didn't play poor...it was what it was. They have to find a rush defense heading into SEC play though, or it may get ugly.
11.) Vanderbilt - It's nice when you lose, and still move up in the power rankings. Vandy didn't look all that bad in its loss to Northwestern. Remember, this is a NW team that played Auburn in the Citrus Bowl last year (although they've lost a lot)...so for Vandy to out-gain them in yardage, and nearly pull off a win is a good start. Don't forget, the Commodores lost their coach over the summer....it could have been a LOT worse. And hey, at least they aren't...
12.) Mississippi - You ARE the laughing stock of college football today. Oh, and Mr. Masoli...it only gets worse from here. If Mississippi plays like that the rest of the season...0-12 will be the bench mark. Houston Nutt needs tir ight the ship quick, or it may just sink.
