SEC East:
1. Georgia: Looking at what has transpired in the first 7 weeks of the season one can only ask the this question: "What the heck happened in the South Carolina game?" Georgia is clearly the class of the East right now.

2. Kentucky: Stoops should be in running for coach of the year with Dan Mullen and Hugh Freeze. The Cats are steadily getting better and so far look more stout than I've seen them since Fran Curci was coach.

3. Missouri: The loss to Indiana was inexplicable. The loss to Georgia was terminal to their hopes in the East. If the physicality of Georgia was too much for them they haven't seen anything yet like they will when they play Arkansas. That said they should still be favored when they play Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and possibly Florida. They won't be favored against A&M and Kentucky, and I think Arkansas takes them. I think the Tigers are looking at 8-4 or 7-5.

4. Florida: I have the Gators here because they still have a very strong defense. I have the Gators here because they still have an extremely poor offense. I have the Gators here because they are still talent rich. I have the Gators here because they are still extremely coach poor.

5. South Carolina: I think the end of the line is approaching for Spurrier. I wouldn't be surprised if he hung it up at the end of this season. Lack of depth at quarterback has been a major undoing of the Gamecocks this year and I have no idea what happened to a usually stout defense other than too many rookies and too little depth with playing experience. I'm shocked to put them at 5th, but there is no compelling reason not to do so. And it could get worse given the remaining schedule.

6. Tennessee: I would put them 5th if they had just 1 compelling victory. They are much improved but still have a long way to go.

7. Vanderbilt: Lost to Temple. Beat Charleston Southern by 1. Need I say more. They are off the charts low. I cannot recall a Vanderbilt team in my lifetime that wreaks more than this one.

SEC West:

1. Mississippi State: By a nose it's Mississippi State. I think in the end that their line will simply be a touch tougher than that of Ole Miss. It is the most solid State team I've seen in decades.

2. Ole Miss: It's not Bo Wallace, it's the defensive front. They have come into their own.

3. Auburn: They self destructed with four turnovers against Mississippi State. No team can win giving away 21 points to a quality opponent. Still, Mississippi State gave away 4 turnovers to Auburn. Auburn got three field goals out of them and a touchdown. Mississippi State got three touchdowns and a stop inside the red zone out of theirs. Mississippi State is the better team.

4. Alabama: Lane Kiffin's offensive development is following the same format it did at Tennessee and U.S.C.......it's grinding to a halt and failing. Alabama's talent level is off the chart, but they are getting pushed around in the line (strength and conditioning), lack experience at QB, and they aren't as explosive as Auburn although they are better on defense. I have them here until they show some balance.

5. Texas A&M: The Aggies still are weak defensively and their front O line is having problems with size. They still possess the ability to knock off a leader so they are dangerous.

6. Arkansas: Put them in the East this year and they challenge Georgia for the division title. Unfortunately they are in the West where with just a hint of luck they would have beaten both A&M and Alabama. I'm glad Auburn played them early as they are only getting stronger. I knew they matched up well with Alabama and L.S.U. and they may yet upset a front runner.

7. L.S.U.: Put them in the East and they finish second. This L.S.U. team will go down in college football history as the best Division cellar team ever. It is a very average L.S.U. team but when you consider they would likely finish second in the ACC, second or third in the Big 10, second or third in the PAC, and third or fourth in the Big 12 you get the picture.

We have already beaten South Carolina Jr, but I agree on most points. I do not think Georgia out muscled us so much as the defense died after spending the whole day on the field. Add to that the revenge factor of losing in Athens last year. You can only make so many dumb mistakes, and Mauk looked by the inexperienced QB is really is, obviously. Worst Mizzou performance in a long time.

(10-12-2014 11:32 AM)USAFMEDIC Wrote:  We have already beaten South Carolina Jr, but I agree on most points. I do not think Georgia out muscled us so much as the defense died after spending the whole day on the field. Add to that the revenge factor of losing in Athens last year. You can only make so many dumb mistakes, and Mauk looked by the inexperienced QB is really is, obviously. Worst Mizzou performance in a long time.

So amended. Missouri is just rebuilding and until you have established a 5 year pattern of recruiting in the SEC this kind of stuff happens. Whenever a school changes coaches it takes 5 years to get a solid base built as well. Missouri is actually ahead of schedule in this regard. I say two more years and they will have built their base of recruits and have reserves waiting in redshirt to step in.

(10-12-2014 11:36 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(10-12-2014 11:32 AM)USAFMEDIC Wrote:  We have already beaten South Carolina Jr, but I agree on most points. I do not think Georgia out muscled us so much as the defense died after spending the whole day on the field. Add to that the revenge factor of losing in Athens last year. You can only make so many dumb mistakes, and Mauk looked by the inexperienced QB is really is, obviously. Worst Mizzou performance in a long time.

So amended. Missouri is just rebuilding and until you have established a 5 year pattern of recruiting in the SEC this kind of stuff happens. Whenever a school changes coaches it takes 5 years to get a solid base built as well. Missouri is actually ahead of schedule in this regard. I say two more years and they will have built their base of recruits and have reserves waiting in redshirt to step in.

Yep. Even Pinkel stated he was looking forward to next year. With South Carolina struggling it tells me that Mizzou and A&M may just not be that ready this year.

Thanks for the kind words, JR.

While I see nothing to disagree with in your ranking as of this date, Auburn may yet finish on top in the West. They pass the eye test for me. Even down 21-0 (thanks to turnovers on their first two offensive plays), they always looked capable of getting back in it. When the Tigers closed to 28-20, I really thought Auburn would come all the way back and win. State won, but I am not sure that Auburn isn't the better team.

I think the west (really the entire SEC) is going to continue to beat each other up as the year goes on. Georgia could be looking at forfeiting games over the signing for cash issues. Could have a Kentucky vs MSU or Ole Miss CCG. That would turn the SEC on it's head.

(10-15-2014 10:49 PM)jhawkmvp Wrote:  I think the west (really the entire SEC) is going to continue to beat each other up as the year goes on. Georgia could be looking at forfeiting games over the signing for cash issues. Could have a Kentucky vs MSU or Ole Miss CCG. That would turn the SEC on it's head.

I am starting to think maybe Missouri can pull this off again, given the comparison with the remaining conference schedule. We better find the offense button though. Not sure if Mauk is in a big rut, or Georgia and Florida defenses are just that good. Combo of both probably.