1. Alabama Crimson Tide

No surprises here.

2. Florida Gators

No surprises here, either. The Gators bounced back from their SECCG performance and off-field drama to thoroughly rout Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl.

3. Mississippi Rebels

The Rebels failed to meet their lofty preseason expectations, but they finished ranked after beating Oklahoma State in the Cotton. Not a bad season, all in all.

4. LSU Tigers

The Tigers lost an ugly game to Penn State in the Capital One Bowl. Are the vultures beginning to hover around Les Miles?

5. Arkansas Razorbacks

The Hogs capped off a decent season with a Liberty Bowl win over East Carolina. With Ryan Mallett returning, this could be a team to watch in 2010.

6. Georgia Bulldogs

The Dawgs wrapped up a disappointing 2009 with a convincing victory in Shreveport.

7. Auburn Tigers

The Tigers got a win in the Outback Bowl in one of the most exciting postseason games.

8. Tennessee Volunteers

The Vols suffered a humiliating loss to Virginia Tech in the Peach Bowl. Granted, they didn't get a particularly favorable matchup.

9. South Carolina Gamecocks

The Gamecocks suffered perhaps the most embarrassing loss of the postseason in the Papa John's Bowl against UConn. Consistency remains in hiding in Columbia.

10. Kentucky Wildcats

In another unfavorable matchup, the 'Cats lost to Clemson in Nashville.

11. Mississippi St. Bulldogs

Nothing changes here, as the Bulldogs didn't qualify for a bowl. They could be a team on the rise in 2010, though.

12. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vandy's forgettable 2009 was thankfully over before the bowl season.