With college football commencing in earnest with a full schedule this weekend, the weekly SEC Power Poll is back, stronger (and two teams deeper) than ever. Texas and Oklahoma are in, and whining about where your team ranks is out. There’s only one way to win respect here: beat good teams. And don’t lose to bad ones. Wins over pushovers won’t move the needle much, if at all. We begin 2024 with a familiar face (Georgia) on top, and a familiar anchor at the bottom.
1. Georgia
This week: vs. Clemson (in Atlanta)
What to know: Anything but Georgia at No. 1, and I’d deserve a citation for reckless polling.
2. Texas
This week: vs. Colorado State
What to know: In time, the Longhorns will realize that everything was already big in the SEC.
3. Alabama
This week: vs. Western Kentucky
What to know: Been out of town. Is there something different about Alabama football this year?
4. Ole Miss
This week: vs. Furman
What to know: If this isn’t the year Lane Kiffin makes his big splash, it might never come.
Oct 23, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin before the game against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
5. Tennessee
This week: vs. Chattanooga
What to know: Is there a better name for a wide receiver anywhere in college football than Squirrel White? Send submissions to cgoodbread@gannett.com.
6. Missouri
This week: vs. Murray State
What to know: There isn’t a better QB-WR combo in the league than Brady Cook to Luther Burden. But until further notice, there are five better teams.
7. LSU
This week: vs. Southern Cal (in Las Vegas)
What to know: The Tigers are playing in Vegas? Good thing Ed Orgeron has moved on.
8. Oklahoma
This week: vs. Temple
What to know: Is it Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC, or Texas and Tulsa? For all the preseason talk about the Longhorns, we barely notice the difference.
Sep 2, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold (10) warms up before the game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
9. Florida
This week: vs. Miami
What to know: If you don’t think an 0-1 start would be a big problem for Billy Napier, you haven’t seen what November looks like for the Gators.
10. Texas A&M
This week: vs. Notre Dame
What to know: Jimbo’s gone, and so is the preseason hype. But at least anonymity doesn’t cost $77 million.
11. Kentucky
This week: vs. Southern Miss
What to know: Last time UK’s starting quarterback wasn’t a transfer from somewhere else? 2020.
12. Auburn
This week: vs. Alabama A&M
What to know: Tigers fans would love will demand more explosiveness from Hugh Freeze’s offense this year.
Auburn Tigers wide receiver Cam Coleman (8) celebrates his long reception during the A-Day spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, April 6, 2024.
13. South Carolina
This week: vs. Old Dominion
What to know: Death, taxes, and South Carolina’s special teams making a difference.
14. Arkansas
This week: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
What to know: Sam Pittman’s seat isn’t quite the hottest one in the league, but it’s hot enough to slow-smoke pork.
15. Mississippi State
This week: vs. Eastern Kentucky
What to know: A high-flying pass offense should be back under new coach Jeff Lebby. Along with low-flying expectations.
16. Vanderbilt
This week: vs. Virginia Tech
What to know: Anchor Down!
Tuscaloosa News sport columnist Chase Goodbread.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: SEC Power Poll: Bulldogs on top, Lane Kiffin’s big chance, and more
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Publish date : 2024-08-25 22:16:00
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