SEC Power Rankings – Week 4

Alabama had a very underwhelming effort against Colorado St., but how much motivation did they really have?  The Rams are a terrible team and never really threatened the Tide.  Alabama faces a decent test this weekend against the Rebels.  However, the game is in Tuscaloosa and it should be expected that the Tide will find their stride and win big.

Prediction: (41-20 Crimson Tide)

In the driving rain LSU looked very strong against Auburn.  They did seem to let War Eagle hang around a little longer than they should have, but overall this LSU team has performed at a level that could put in a claim for the number one spot in the SEC.  However, with LSU having to play at Alabama this year the Tide get the nod.  The Bayou Bengals face  a very tough test this weekend as they travel to Athens.  If LSU can get the running game going again to even out their attack expect them to put up a good amount of points against a porous Georgia defense.  This will be an amazing game to watch and expect a close finish.

Prediction: (31-30 Georgia Bulldogs)

Georgia registered an incredibly average victory against North Texas last weekend.  The Dawgs still won big, but they gave up two special teams touchdowns and needed a great second half effort to pull away from the Mean Green.  The biggest question is... Has Georgia regressed or did they just play down to their competition?  Judging by the way Georgia played against South Carolina I am going to go with the latter.  LSU comes to town in a game that we don’t get to see that often.  Expect Aaron Murray to toss the ball around and Todd Gurley to have a workman like effort en route to a slim victory.

Prediction: (31-30 Georgia Bulldogs)

The Aggies rolled SMU last weekend.  What did we learn about A&M?  Not much.  They are a very good team with an average to below average defense.  Coming up, the Aggies travel to Arkansas to play in what seems to be a very forced rivalry game.  Expect Manziel to pick apart the Razorback secondary en route to a very lopsided victory. 

Prediction: (42-27 Texas A&M Aggies)

Coming off a bye week the Cocks travel to Orlando to take on the Golden Knights of Central Florida.  The Knights are a very solid mid-major team.  Already going on the road this year and winning at Penn State.  Now the Nittany Lions are not what they were, but Happy Valley is still a very difficult place to go into and win.  South Carolina shouldn’t have too many issue in this game, but their defense will need to pick up their game a bit.  Expect this game to be close for a while and then for the Gamecocks to pull away in the 4^th.

Prediction: (45-24 South Carolina Gamecocks)

Also coming off a bye week the Rebels get to travel to Alabama and play the Tide.  It has been a dreamy beginning of the season for the Rebs, but look for this weekend to get ugly.  Bo Wallace will be in over his head as he throws 4 interceptions and never really gets into a grove.  Don’t expect it to be a game for long.

Prediction: (41-20 Alabama Crimson Tide)

All of Gator nation held their breath when Driskel went down against the Vols, but after the game most fans have a new sense of optimism. Backup QB Tyler Moore looked great.  His legs would get him out of trouble and he was able to make several quality pocket passes.  Of course the Vols defense is one of the worst around.  From here on out teams will have entire weeks to scout and prepare for Moore.  Will he continue to be as effective?  He shouldn't have too much trouble next week as the Gators travel to Lexington and take on the Wildcats.  The Gators should find a way to cure a few more of their offensive woes and roll up a big number on Kentucky.

Prediction: (37-13 Florida Gators)

The Tigers went on the road last week and took on a below average Indiana team.  From the get-go, they dominated the Hoosiers; rolling up over 600 yards of offense.  QB  James Franklin is using his feet again and Dorial Green-Beckham looks like he is going to live up to his hype.  Mizzou gets another layup this week as the Arkansas State Red Wolves travel to Columbia to collect a pay check.  We should see Mizzou move to 4-0 in what is starting out as a nice bounce back season for the boys from the Show Me State.

Prediction: (52-26 Missouri Tigers)

War Eagle had an admirable effort this past weekend in Baton Rouge.  Although it was 21-0 at half they did make the necessary adjustments at half to make it a ball game.  There is some obvious talent on the Auburn squad, but it really seems as if they are about a year away from doing anything of significance.  Expect an up and down year for the Tigers.  Auburn gets to lick their wounds this weekend as they are on their bye week.

The Bulldogs absolutely trounced Troy this past weekend.  Right from the beginning it was a route.  It was a win they needed though in order to regain their confidence after the tough loss on the Plains to Auburn.  This is another team that gets their shot to get healthy and ready for the rest of the gauntlet that is SEC league play.

Vandy went on the road and won an ugly one at UMASS 24-7.  The best way to describe the Minutemen is terrible.  They have only been a FBS team for 2 years and they are a very bad football team.  The Commodores had trouble scoring and finding a way to pull away.  The 'Dores are a tough team to put your finger on, but they should get in to the win column again this week as they play the helpless UAB Blazers.

Prediction: (34-14 Vanderbilt Commodores)

The Hogs fought and lost a very tough game at Rutgers last weekend.  They had control most the game and let it slip away at the end.  This Arkansas team shows promise and could surprise a team or two, but not this week.  The Aggies come to town on Saturday in a game that Arkansas will have trouble keeping close.  It will take a herculean effort to pull out a win, but crazier things have happened.

Prediction: (42-27 Texas A&M Aggies)

Well it is official that Tennessee is terrible.  After an early pick-6 against the Gators it went downhill quick for the Vols.  They would have been better off using the Waterboy offense and taking a knee every offensive snap.  That is not an exaggeration!  The Vols will get a chance to regain some swagger this weekend as they welcome South Alabama to Neyland.  As bad as Tennessee is, they should handle this game with ease.

Prediction: (27-13 Tennessee Volunteers)

It is truly hard to talk about Kentucky.  They are a very bad football team.  They host Florida this week and even with Florida's offensive struggles, the Wildcats won't be able to keep this close.  The main hope for Kentucky this year is that their committed recruits don't get scared away and look elsewhere.

Prediction: (37-13 Florida Gators)