I'm sure Aubie is reading a ton of headlines, and probably some he doesn't really want to read. Auburn holds a throne in the way they probably don't want to.
14) Auburn Tigers - I know I'm late to the party on this. However, given Kentucky's performance for 2 1/3 quarters against Arkansas before the rains of mercy came, you couldn't put anyone else in the cellar. Especially the downward spiral that Arkansas seem to slow down at least. With the lackluster performance offensively, a defense that gives up more penetration than a female pop star, and......losing to Vanderbilt, Auburn now hosts Texas A&M and the side show that is Johnny "Football" Manziel. I don't think Auburn fans fear of if they're going to lose this game. I think they're hoping that Johnny Football doesn't do his best Cam Newton impersonation against a defense that couldn't stop a toddler from crawling into the end zone.
13) Kentucky - Congratulations Kentucky, in most cases the close scare you gave the Georgia Bulldogs would consider you to be moved higher than 14. However, being 1-7 (0-5 in the SEC) and losing to Western Kentucky still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. There is still hope. A win over Missouri could boost you up to the next slotEnjoy this while it lasts, Auburn won't be this terrible forever.
12) Missouri - I remember when Bama Zack compared Missouri to Ole Miss when the Tigers were announced they were coming to the SEC. Looking a year later, that's more of an insult to Ole Miss than it is Missouri. The Tigers have battled injuries and some off the field issues and Paul Finebaum masters his telepathic powers of getting into Gary Pinkel's head. The Tigers could plunge even lower with a loss to Kentucky. James Franklin returns as QB as Kentucky tries to keep theirs healthy for an entire game.
11) Tennessee - I think most fans outside of Knoxville were rooting for Derek Dooley to finally turn the curve. Will Muschamp seems to have done so at Florida. With what Dooley has to work with at Tennessee, you thought that progress was being made. As bad as the loss to Alabama looks, Tennessee had opportunities to at least capture the nation's attention if only for a few moments, but they couldn't capitalize. The stool is getting hotter in Knoxville as the native have become restless at a fever pitch. I put Tennessee Higher than Missouri because the they had at least made tough competition sweat for a brief moment. Also their non-conference win over NC State trumps Mizzou's win over Arizona State. This team has talent, they just can't seem to make the plays when it needs them the most.
10) Vanderbilt - Granted, they played South Carolina and Florida very tough, but they also go routed by Georgia and fell short to Northwestern. I like James Franklin, I think he has Vanderbilt going in the right direction. They win ugly and they lose ugly. However, if James Franklin was able to play the entire game, they wouldn't have beat Missouri. But giving the state of the other teams below them. I have no choice but to put Vanderbilt at 10.
9) Ole Miss - The Rebels win over Auburn got a huge monkey off their back by snapping their 16 game SEC losing streak. This Rebel team is better and should give Ole Miss fans alot of optimism if they have patience. The Rebels play Arkansas next week and could move to the #8 spot with a win. You have to be pleased with Hugh Freeze and the direction he has this once distraught football program.
8) Arkansas - Funny that Arkansas was once #8 in the country before losing to UL-Monroe and now they are #8 in the SEC in the OTM Rankings. The win over Auburn slowed down the free-fall under Head Coach John L Smith. The Hogs are hoping to keep the momentum going from their 49-7 win over Kentucky against the Ole Miss Rebels. A loss here could drop them to #9 unless Tennessee, Missouri, or Kentucky put on stellar performances.
7) Texas A&M - The story of A&M football for 2012 has been the electrifying acrobatics of Johnny Football Manziel. The Aggies played LSU tough only to come up short. I like this team and had very good hopes for them. They now visit the plains to take on cellar dweller Auburn. A loss there could erase all of that good fortune in their first SEC season.
6) Georgia - Yes, Georgia has done nothing impressive this season, other than beating Vanderbilt 48-3. This team also gave up 20 point to an awful Florida Atlantic team. Yet, they're still in the hunt against the SEC East. However, they maybe knocked out just as soon as they got in. A lackluster performance against Kentucky is not a good omen coming into a matchup against one of the hottest risers in the nation in Florida.
5) Mississippi State - Wait, they're ranked #13 in the country. So why would I have Mississippi State ranked so low? I don't discredit what they've done, but they haven't really done anything yet. They're 3-0 against 3 of the 4 worst teams in the league. They travel to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama which will be a trip back to reality, the hard way. A good performance against the Tide could keep them in the upper half of the conference, but I'm not sure that's going to happen.
4) South Carolina - Even though the Gamecocks got dismantled by Florida in the Swamp, they still had a dominating performance over Georgia and a tough night battle in Death Valley in which they came up short. Sorry, Mississippi State fans, but South Carolina is still a much more impressive team to be ranked 4th.
3) LSU - Lesticles magic is alive and well despite the anemic performance against Florida. Despite a depleated O-Line and players dropping like flies, Les finds a way to pull out a victory just like the Texas A&M game yesterday. LSU now has the extra week to prepare for Nick Saban's buzzsaw known as the Alabama Crimson Tide. Two weeks to prepare for a night game on your home field. Is there any more Lesticle magic left for Nov. 3rd?
2) Florida - BOOOOM!!!! That's what Will Muschamp is saying now. I would say he should be in the conversation for Coach of The Year. An amazing turn around that silenced all the critics, including myself. The Gators can wrap up the SEC East by beating Georgia this Saturday. Brent Pease's offense is ugly, but it's effective. The defense is smothering and they proved to the nation yesterday they are for real. Had Alabama kept the Tennessee game close, you would have to argue the Gators could have been #1 in these rankings.
1) Alabama - Despite trying to give Tennessee opportunities to keep the game too close for comfort, the Tide easily ripped the heart out of Tennessee fans and players to secure their #1 spot in the SEC and the nation. The Tide has Mississippi State coming to town and then they meet LSU in the Bayou....at night. The next two weeks will be interesting to see if the Tide can keep up their high standard of play.
