What a week in the SEC. We nearly witnessed the biggest upset in college football since Michigan-Appalachian State in 2007, and just a few hours later we saw what will likely be the biggest upset in the conference this season.
Here’s how all 14 SEC teams rank after a wild Week 2:
1. Alabama (2-0): It wasn’t a flawless effort, but Alabama is still top dog on the power rankings after cruising past Middle Tennessee State 37-10. Derrick Henry is becoming a serious Heisman candidate after scoring three touchdowns for the second straight week. But the Crimson Tide still need better quarterback play going forward.
2. Georgia (2-0): Is Greyson Lambert to blame for Georgia’s struggles on offense? Or is Vanderbilt’s defense just that much better this season? It could be a little bit of both, but the Bulldogs still won 31-14 thanks to another impressive effort from Nick Chubb (19 carries, 189 yards) and big plays from both the defense and special teams.
3. Texas A&M (2-0): For the second straight week, Texas A&M used both quarterbacks, and both were solid. Kyle Allen went 10-of-13 for 126 yards and three touchdowns, while the freshman Kyler Murray threw for 65 yards and a score. It really didn’t matter who was in the game as the Aggies rolled over Ball State 56-23 to start 2-0.
4. Ole Miss (2-0): Here’s a fun fact: Ole Miss has scored 149 points in its first two games. That’s more points than SMU had all of last season. Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly looked terrific again Saturday, throwing for 346 yards and four touchdowns in a 73-21 win over Fresno State. But a trip to Alabama is next. How will Kelly fare in that type of environment?
5. LSU (1-0): There’s a lot to like about this LSU team. Sure, the Tigers almost gave the Mississippi State game away in the final minutes, but Leonard Fournette proved there will be no sophomore slump this season. In addition, quarterback Brandon Harris looked better than he did a year ago, and the defense held Mississippi State to 19 points after giving up 34 to the Bulldogs last season.
6. Auburn (2-0): How far would Auburn had dropped had it lost that game to Jacksonville State? No. 13? No. 14? It was near disaster for the Tigers on Saturday, but they found a way to win, escaping with a 27-20 victory in overtime. And despite all the problems, they’re still 2-0 headed into next week’s showdown at LSU.
7. Tennessee (1-1): Tennessee stands pat in this week’s rankings because despite losing 31-24 in double overtime Saturday, the Volunteers outplayed Oklahoma for three and a half quarters. Now, obviously they have to learn to finish. But this team proved it’s talented enough to compete in the SEC East and still make it to Atlanta.
8. Missouri (2-0): Through the first two games, Missouri’s offense has struggled with consistency. Maty Mauk threw two more interceptions Saturday and completed only 16 of his 36 pass attempts. Even freshman Drew Lock threw a pick on his only attempt. But once again, it was the defense that came through in a 27-20 win over Arkansas State.
9. Kentucky (2-0): For the first time since 2009, Kentucky returned home from an SEC road game with a victory. The Wildcats snapped a 20-game conference losing streak on the road with Saturday’s 26-22 win over South Carolina. And though there was another second-half letdown, all that matters now is that this team is undefeated.
10. Florida (2-0): Based on the postgame news conference from coach Jim McElwain, one might have thought Florida lost to East Carolina on Saturday. The Gators won 31-24 -- though ECU had a chance to tie it in the final minute -- but McElwain is trying to change the culture in Gainesville. And it was also clear that his team didn’t play its best in Week 2.
11. Mississippi State (1-1): Give credit to the Bulldogs for hanging in against LSU. They never gave up and nearly stole one late. And quarterback Dak Prescott was at his best down the stretch, going 34 of 52 for 335 yards and a touchdown overall. He also added a touchdown on the ground. But the magic from last season wasn’t there this time.
12: Arkansas (1-1): Holy Toledo! The Rockets went to Little Rock on Saturday and stunned No. 18 Arkansas 16-12. It was a bad look for Bret Bielema and the Razorbacks, but even worse considering the comments Bielema made earlier in the week about Ohio State’s schedule. There’s still time, but this team needs to improve in a hurry.
13. South Carolina (1-1): If the 26-22 loss to Kentucky wasn’t bad enough already, it sounds like South Carolina quarterback Connor Mitch could be out for the season with a sprained shoulder. The silver lining might be the play of backup Perry Orth, who went 13-of-20 for 179 yards and a touchdown in the second half.
14. Vanderbilt (0-2): If you don’t think this Vanderbilt team has improved from last season, you haven’t watched either of its first two games. The Commodores were on the doorstep of making it a one-score game Saturday before Georgia took an interception 88 yards the other way. Derek Mason’s squad will surprise somebody before it’s over.