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Kentucky kept things close against the Tide for a quarter, but the rest of the game was all Alabama. Not much to talk about there.
2. LSU Tigers
Very good showing for LSU over Florida. They're on the outside looking in right now, but outside of 'Bama, they seem like the most likely SEC team to make a run at a BCS Championship.
3. Texas A&M Aggies
Eventually, you have to figure that their defense is going to cost them a game or two they should have won, but Manziel gives them a legitimate shot to win in Baton Rouge later in the season, too. I was really impressed by how he shook off a couple of mistakes against Ole Miss and led the come back in a hostile environment.
Mired in controversy and seemingly left for dead by many pundits, the Gamecocks had an impressive showing with the biggest road margin of victory of the Spurrier era, winning 52-7 at Arkansas. The defensive box score is a bit misleading because USC benefited from some unusual fumbles by the Hogs, but still, it was a dominant performance by any measure.
I thought about ranking them higher, but I'm really curious to see how they do without James Franklin this weekend. Still, huge win for this program over UGA.
With a weak defense, UGA had been relying on its offense to win shootouts over the first several weeks. However, without several of its biggest playmakers due to injury, UGA found itself unable to keep up against Mizzou. This team's season could be on the brink if it doesn't rediscover its offensive mojo pronto.
Optimism about Florida's offense after the Arkansas game was apparently misplaced, considering that South Carolina scored 52 against the Hogs on the road, while Florida's offense came crashing back down to earth against what had been a shaky, if very talented, LSU defense. I stand by my opinion that Tyler Murphy's safe play will allow their defense to keep them in games, but it's now more clear that his inability to challenge vertically is going to be a huge liability against teams with even a modicum of defensive prowess.
I thought about ranking them higher, but I'd really like to see them win another big game first. They get their shot at Manziel and company this weekend.
9. Ole Miss Rebels
Close but no cigar for Ole Miss against Texas A&M. If I were a Rebel, I'd be upset about the officiating in that one.
Huge opportunity for the Vols this weekend when South Carolina comes to town. The Gamecocks have won three straight in what used to be a lopsided series in favor of the Vols.
The Bulldogs almost got sMACked by Bowling Green. BGSU is a very good MAC program, but still, a respectable SEC team shouldn't have that kind of trouble at home against such a program.
The 'Dores took a week off to regroup after a tough start to their season. Interesting home game this week against a reeling Georgia team.
After their heart was ripped out by South Carolina on homecoming, can Arkansas pick itself up off the mat and find a way to win some ball games?
Alabama game went about as expected.