SEC Football: LSU and Florida see massive falls in week one power rankings

Even though it has only been one week, the SEC is already looking topsy turvy in a few places. With teams like South Carolina struggling against Old Dominion, and the Vanderbilt Commodores stunning the Virginia Tech Hokies with a victory, the power rankings in week one look a lot different than they did pre-season.

Here is the week one SEC power rankings

16. Florida Gators

The Florida Gators looked awful against the Miami Hurricanes in week one, losing 41-17 at home in Gainesville. The sad thing is that they had all off season to prepare under head coach Billy Napier. With the exception of five players on the roster, all others at this point are Napier’s recruits. With Napier already squarely on the hot seat entering the game, you can now consider it scorching. And the 16th overall ranking in the SEC goes along with that.

15. South Carolina Gamecocks

Head coach Shane Beamer is coming off a 5-7 season in his third year with the program. 2023 was the first year in Beamer’s tenure that the Gamecocks did not make a bowl game. Although the Gamecocks came out with a 23-19 victory against Old Dominion, it did not look pretty. This combined with last year’s disappointing season has them sitting at number 15 in this week’s power rankings.          

14. Mississippi State Bulldogs

The Bulldogs took care of business against FCS opponent Eastern Kentucky in week one by a score of 56-7. However, with a lot of turnover on the roster and a first year head coach in Jeff Lebby, much is still unproven. Hence the reason the Bulldogs only sit at 14 in this week’s rankings.

13. Vanderbilt Commodores

The Commodores defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies in a thrilling week one matchup 34-27 in a game they Hokies were favored to win. Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia showed grit and leadership which has propelled them up to number 13 in this week’s SEC power rankings.

12. Arkansas Razorbacks

The hogs were called in Little Rock, Arkansas for this neutral site contest between the Razorbacks and in-state FCS opponent Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Razorbacks scored touchdowns on 10 offensive drives in the contest and quarterback Taylen Green looked extremely dynamic for the Razorbacks. Albeit it was against a much weaker opponent, the Razorbacks did everything they could do with a 70-0 victory.

11. Kentucky Wildcats

With nine out of 11 starters returning on defense, the Wildcats looked like it against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles in week one with a 31-0 victory in Lexington. Not a ton of flash was shown on offense, but they Wildcats are deserving of an 11 spot in the power rankings with a shutout.

10. LSU Tigers

Offensive and defensive play calling was extremely suspect for the Tigers in this week one showdown with the USC Trojans. The Tigers had a chance to put the game away late but failed to do so and dropped another season opener under head coach Brian Kelly. This one was by a score of 27-20. Although the defense looked better than last year, many question marks remain for the Tigers.

9. Oklahoma Sooners

51-3 and an impressive defensive performance by the Sooners against the Temple Owls in week one has them sitting at number nine in the power rankings.

8. Auburn Tigers

Alabama A&M was an FCS opponent, but the Tigers sure looked better against this level of competition than in recent years. The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 73-3. Freshman standout wide receiver Cam Coleman got in the mix as expected, and quarterback Peyton Thorne looked much more comfortable than he did in 2023.

7. Missouri Tigers

Eli Drinkwitz has had one winning season since he arrived in Columbia back in Columbia in 2020. That season however was last year, and with the Tigers opening the 2024 campaign 51- against Missouri State, they look strong again in 2024.

6. Texas A&M Aggies

Yes, the Aggies lost. So, you may be surprised that I have them as high as number six. They also looked lost at times on offense, including starting quarterback Conner Weigman. However, the Aggies hired Mike Elko for a reason, and that reason was defense. Considering this was Elko’s first game in College Station and he has been in town as the head coach for less than one year, I would say that the Aggies gave a solid performance against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish who came in as the number seven team in the country.

The Aggies allowed only six points in the first half and kept it close throughout the game. Again, considering this is only game one for Elko, good things are in store for the Aggies in 2024.

5. Alabama Crimson Tide

63-0 and only ranked fifth in the power rankings? Yes, that is correct. Despite the Tide’s defense looking promising, the offense still had some snap issues. Starting quarterback Jalen Milroe appeared to not look much improved from 2023 as well.

The Tide however are still loaded with talent under first year head coach Kalen DeBoer from when Nick Saban retired. So, while it may not be a great ranking, that still helps it hold serve as a really good one.

4. Ole Miss Rebels

The Rebels took care of business 76-0 against FCS opponent Furman in week one. That is not why I have them ranked as high as fourth, however. That would be the success they had in the 2023 transfer portal with acquisitions like Chris “Poo” Paul at Linebacker, defensive tackle Walter Nolen, wide receiver Juice Wells and many more.

We shall see what happens when the Rebels begin SEC competition, but for now they remain at number four as they appear locked and loaded for 2024.

3. Tennessee Volunteers

Nico Iamaleava is now the starting quarterback as a redshirt freshman for the Tennessee Volunteers. Iamaleava started only his second game at quarterback for the Vols against the Chattanooga Mocs this past weekend in Knoxville. So why are they deserving of the number three ranking then you ask? Iamaleava is not just a freshman, but he is actually a freshman that has been on campus for over a year now. Not only did Iamaleava learn behind Joe Milton all last season, but he also was mentored by Hendon Hooker when he arrived in early 2022.

2. Texas Longhorns

I would say the Longhorns outperformed expectations in week one, especially with the loss of two of their top running backs before the season even started. The Longhorns defeated the Colorado State Rams in Austin this past week 52-0. This was the first shutout for the Longhorns since 2004. This is a sign of a program headed in the right direction under fourth year head coach Steve Sarkisian who led the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff in 2023.

1. Georgia Bulldogs

34-3. This was the score of the Bulldogs’ week one contest against the 14th nationally ranked Clemson Tigers. Although the Bulldogs started slow in the first half, the second half was a different story. Defense is head coach Kirby Smarts’ staple and it showed in this one. Look for the Bulldogs to be near the top of the SEC power rankings all season.