I’ve been known to say that preseason college football polls are the worst invention in all of human history. I’ve even been known to say that polls shouldn’t start until at least the 7th or 8th week of the college football season just to make sure we have a good idea of what’s going on.
That being said, I’m going to start ranking the SEC right after week 1 just to have a good record of where we started and where we finish. These rankings will be solely based on what we’ve seen. No preseason rankings or hype. What I have watched or read. Sue me.
1. Alabama
The Tide played the best opponent any SEC team played in Week 1 and won handily. But slow down. It was just Wisconsin without Melvin Gordon.
2. Texas A&M
They beat Arizona State — a playoff contender according to some — by three touchdowns. That may sound more impressive than Alabama beating #20 Wisconsin by 18, but I think Arizona State was way overrated.
3. Auburn
I think Auburn has the best team in the SEC, but the kinks were a-plenty against Louisville in a big-game setting. The Tigers were good enough to beat a good team anyway.
4. Georgia
It’s hard to tell much from a decent beating of UL-Monroe, but Georgia is always about 4th-best, aren’t they?
5. Ole Miss
You beat any team 76-3 (UT-Martin) and you probably get ranked higher than you may need to be, but I’m basing these rankings off of what we’ve seen.
6. LSU
The Purple Tigers weren’t good enough to beat the rain, but they are good enough to beat McNeese State handily, so I’m going to pretend like they did.
7. Arkansas
Bert and his Razorbacks blew out the Miners from UTEP. Does that mean anything? Not yet.
8. Tennessee
Scoring 59 points is strong-to-quite strong, but doing that to Bowling Green while giving up 30 is not.
9. Florida
The Gators beat one of the worst programs in college football history by only 48. I’m serious. 48 points over New Mexico State is only good enough for 9th in the SEC.
10. Missouri
Missouri won’t get above 10th until they play a team from the SEC. Given their track record, that won’t happen until mid-October.
11. South Carolina
The Gamecocks had one of the most lackluster wins in college football history as part of the opening night of football. I honestly forgot they were in the SEC when I was making this list, which is why they are so low.
12. Mississippi State
The Bulldogs pulled away late from a Southern Miss team that’s picked in the bottom half of Conference USA. They also played at Southern Miss. Doing that puts you at #12 in the conference.
13. Kentucky
I thought the Wildcats were going to be a little more competitive this season. Given that they needed a last second touchdown to beat Louisiana Lafayette, I’ll instead say they may be competitive in the Sun Belt.
14. Vanderbilt
Lost to Western Kentucky. That’s all.
