SEC Power Poll Ballot: Week 10

by Gamecock Man on Nov 3, 2008 12:23 AM EST in South Carolina Gamecocks Football

1. Alabama

One more major obstacle for Bama to jump before they play the Gators for an SEC title and a chance to play for all the marbles.

2. Florida

Message to Tim Tebow: the NFL needs you next year.

3. Georgia

Surprisingly, I can't drop Georgia after that performance because they've already beaten the only other two teams that have anything resembling a claim on respect. If you needed proof that the SEC is down this year (despite what Alabama or Florida still might do), look no further than the fact that the Dawgs are clearly the conference's third-best team despite having just lost to their major rival by almost six TDs.

4. LSU

The Tigers didn't look terribly impressive against Tulane, but look for them to leave it all on the field when Saban and the Tide come to town. One has to wonder if it will be enough, though.

5. South Carolina

The Gamecocks aren't quite as good as the conference's best teams, but they are quietly putting together a decent year.

6. Ole Miss

By beating Auburn the Rebels have set themselves up for a solid finish and a return to postseason play.

7. Kentucky

The Cats are now bowl-eligible but have yet to record anything resembling a quality win.

8. Vanderbilt

Took a week off. Are they ready to finish what they started now?

9. Arkansas

Still not one of the conference's better teams, but they're slowly improving. The Gamecocks defense will be a good test for the progress of Petrino's offense.

10. Auburn

The offense actually put up good numbers in the second half against Ole Miss but killed itself with critical mistakes.

11. Tennessee

Hard to describe how bad the Vols looked in Columbia last night. This has been a season from hell for the folks from Rocky Top.

12. MSU

Played Kentucky tough but lost due to a blocked PAT. This team has the dubious distinction of being blown out by Tennessee.

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Comments

Do you know what's terrifying?

That is exactly the same order I would have chosen. The iffiest part right now is 6-8; the difference between UK and Vandy in particular is tiny.

by peachy rex on Nov 3, 2008 10:27 PM EST reply actions

I feel pretty confident about Ole Miss at six...

But you’re right about Vandy and Kentucky. Hard to know which one to pick, but to me Kentucky seems to be playing ever-so-slightly better right now.

Go Cocks!

by Gamecock Man on Nov 3, 2008 11:35 PM EST up reply actions

Too bad

they haven’t played yet. Kentucky is bowl-eligible, but Vandy has played one fewer game. Vandy is in a slump, but Kentucky has lost three of five themselves (and both wins were by a point.) Kentucky has only lost to teams higher in the pecking order, but that includes one thrashing; Vandy hasn’t been thrashed, but they’ve lost to Miss State.

It’s really close to coin-flip territory – I’d give the slightest of edges of Kentucky for overcoming brutal injury luck. But the entire middle of the conference (pretty much everybody below LSU and above Auburn) is enormously volatile this year; the order could change completely after next week, with both UK and Vandy certain to be heavy ’dogs, and Arky & SC facing off.

by peachy rex on Nov 4, 2008 12:18 AM EST up reply actions

I'd say that South Carolina and Ole Miss have separated themselves from the middle-tier pack a bit...

But yeah, it’s still a pretty close call between a lot of these teams.

Go Cocks!

by Gamecock Man on Nov 4, 2008 12:52 PM EST up reply actions

Um

Bama has three more obstacles in their way…at least in the NCG picture..

When you are an Alabama fan you have to hate Auburn, I hate Tennessee because i want to.

by bammer on Nov 4, 2008 12:19 PM EST reply actions

I wasn't referring to the NCG picture...

I said before playing the Gators in the SECCG. I guess you’re right that MSU and Auburn are obstacles, but they shouldn’t be more than mental obstacles this year. Bama is clearly better than those teams, although I’ll grant that Croom and especially Tuberville are likely in their heads after what’s happened in past years.

Go Cocks!

by Gamecock Man on Nov 4, 2008 12:52 PM EST up reply actions