Now that the hype of the offseason is over, EasySportz can assess the true strength of the SEC. While it’s impossible to judge teams after one game, we are going to try. The SEC had a number of cross-conference clashes this weekend. While the conference as a whole had a winning record (14-2), some of the performances (Texas, Alabama, Kentucky) raised concerns about the potential strength of the conference relative to the rest of college football.
1) Georgia: We didn’t really learn anything from a 45-7 thrashing of Marshall, and we won’t learn anything from the Dawgs’ upcoming battle with Austin Peay.
2) LSU: Fresh off a win on the road over Clemson, LSU can finally say something they haven’t been able to say for a few years–that they are 1-0. They also now officially own the term “Death Valley,” as the score was closer than the game was.
3) Ole Miss: The most interesting thing about this upcoming week’s SEC battle (?) with Kentucky is if the Rebels will score more points this week than in last week’s win over Georgia State (63).
4) Texas: Arch Manning and Texas laid an egg in the Horseshoe against Oho State, but that fate has befallen many a visiting QB in Columbus, Ohio. We’re willing to grant Arch and the Longhorns a mulligan. I feel sorry for San Jose State this week. Longhorns by infinity.
5) Tennessee: The happiest fan base in the SEC has to be Tennessee’s. New QB Joey Aguilar fitt seamlessly into Josh Huepel’s offense, and dramatically outplayed former Vols’ QB Nico Iamaleava in his debut for UCLA.
6) South Carolina: LaNorris Sellers looked the part of a Heisman candidate against Virginia Tech, doing it all for the Gamecocks in a 24-11 win in Atlanta.
7) Florida: The Gators played a JV high school team last week (Long Island), but they will be tested this week by a USF team that destroyed then #25 Boise State a week ago.
8): Oklahoma: The Sooners seem to have found their quarterback in John Mateer. The Washington State transfer threw for nearly 400 yards versus Illinois State. We will know a lot more this week after the Sooners host Michigan.
9) Auburn: The Tigers had a big win for the SEC, going on the road to beat Baylor. After all of the offseason bad news surrounding coach Hugh Freeze and the program, it was great for Auburn to make news for the right reasons on the field.
10) Texas A&M: The Aggies beat UTSA and have the battle of the Aggies against Utah State this weekend. Utah State will serve as a tune up before Texas A&M goes to South Bend to face Notre Dame.
11) Alabama: I don’t have much to say about Alabama. Pray for Louisiana Monroe this week.
12) Vanderbilt: The fighting Diego Pavias crushed Charleston Southern 45-3. Vandy hosts Virginia Tech this week.
13) Missouri: The Tigers destroyed Central Arkansas 61-6 and host Kansas this week.
14) Arkansas: The Razorbacks pasted Alabama A&M 52-7. Sam Pittman’s squad has an in-state battle with Arkansas State on Saturday in their quest for bowl eligibility.
15) Mississippi State: The Bulldogs won their opener over Southern Miss but now face a challenge in hosting #12 Arizona State in Starkville.
16) Kentucky: Wildcat fans were not thrilled with a 24-16 win over lowly Toledo. The competition gets much harder next week, as Kentucky hosts #20 Ole Miss.
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