By Chris Marler
Each week during the college football season, we’ll rank the SEC teams 1-16. Here’s a look following Week 4.
1. Tennessee
Another week and another impressive win for Tennessee. It feels like no matter what they do or who they beat, rival fans will continue to discredit them. But, they’re going to run out of excuses as to why they aren’t as impressive as the objective eye can see. The Vols went on the road to a hostile environment and absolutely bludgeoned Oklahoma. That game wasn’t nearly as close as the score said.
2. Texas
Arch? Ewers? It don’t matter. Hell, stick one of them back there left handed and they’d probably still win by 30. Arch had some setbacks against UL-Monroe including an interception on his first drive of the game. Texas still won by 48. Ewers is still questionable this week against the Longhorns first SEC opponent. They should have at least two more weeks until the scheduel gets remotely tough.
3. Ole Miss
Regardless of who they’re playing, Ole Miss continues to be the most consistent team in the country especially on offense. The Rebels have scored in every single quarter of every game they’ve played, and their latest drubbing was a 52-13 win over Georgia Southern. The schedule picks up as they begin SEC play this Saturday against Kentucky, but Jaxson Dart has shown no signs of slowing down.
4. Georgia
Georgia heads to Tuscaloosa in a massive early season showdown for the Dawgs and a Stone Mountain sized boulder of a chip on their shoulder. The Bulldogs have the most talented roster in the conference, and road favorites against Alabama. Kirby is 1-5 against the Tide and has lost two of the last three, despite being favored each time.
5. Alabama
Alabama’s offense has been great in spurts this season, but they will need more consistency out of Jalen Milroe and the boys if they expect to beat Georgia. Through three games, Bama is averaging 49.0 ppg and nearly 467 ypg. How the defense will stop Carson Beck may be the bigger question.
6. LSU
There’s a steep drop off from the top five in the league to the rest of the conference, but LSU has been much better than people are giving them credit for. Sure, there are holes defensively and the run game still seems to be a problem, but they have one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Garrett Nussmeier. And, when you’ve got a dude like that at that position you have a chance in every game you play.
7. Missouri
Mizzou feels like the worst 4-0 team in the country so far, but they are undefeated so give credit where credit is due. They got Luther Burden and Brady Cook going against Vandy, but still found themselves in a dog fight that went to double-overtime.
8. South Carolina
South Carolina had another offensive breakout against lowly Akron. This one still deserves recognition though because they did it with a backup QB. Having Robby Ashford come in and put up over 330 yards of offense and 50 points is impressive no matter who they’re playing.
9. Texas A&M
Maybe the biggest difference in the Jimbo era and the Mike Elko era is that Jimbo’s teams would have lost to Bowling Green. Marcel Reed continues to dazzle and will be a problem in this league.
10. Vanderbilt
You’re 4-0 in our hearts Vandy. And that’s all that matters.
11. Arkansas
Arkansas won the drunkest game of the season so far. Which is like the third time I’ve said that in four games. Taylen Green can be electric as much as he can be a liability, but give credit to Arkansas and Sam Pittman because nine out of ten times, winners don’t make excuses. Take notes Hugh Freeze.
12. Kentucky
Kentucky won and they covered the spread. Just like we said in our weekly Big Eicks energy article. So that’s all that matters.
13. Florida
Florida handled Mississippi State on the road in what was, sadly, a must-win for Billy Napier. Say what you want about Napier, but he handled the QB situation beautifully and Mertz and Lagway were nearly perfect against the Dawgs.
14. Oklahoma
Welcome to the party boys. Told y’all it wouldn’t be easy. Baylor ain’t here anymore.
15. Auburn
I don’t want to even talk about the game. I want to give my heartfelt sympathies to the countless lives affected to anyone playing the drinking game, “Taking a Drink Every Time an Auburn QB Throws an Interception.” Get better soon.
16. Mississippi State
Gross.
