Creative SEC power rankings: Sept. 19

It just means more down south. The tradition, the game, the fans. Even the most microscopic details mean more on a Saturday in the SEC.

With that being said, let’s take a look at how these college football programs are treating their fans who make Saturdays the most memorable fall days in the American South.

“Everything is bigger in Texas”

Texas:

Just imagine. The Heisman frontrunner goes down with an injury. The whole stadium goes silent. Thoughts of the season being over haunt everyone’s mind.

But then Arch Manning emerges from the shadows and throws for 223 yards and five touchdowns in relief. All is good in Austin and regardless of who is the QB, these Longhorns are simply the best team in the country.

“The 3-0 Show”

Alabama:

Even for the number four team in the country, walking into Camp Randall is no easy feat. Stomping on every Badger in sight is even more impressive. Alabama under new Head Coach Kalen DeBoer has not skipped a beat and is putting the country on notice.

Tennessee:

13 points allowed in three games is tremendous. Throw in a ranked win with that and Tennessee is firing on all cylinders right now. Though there are tougher tests down the road, Rocky Top can feel good about their team’s performances thus far.

Mississippi:

The way Ole Miss has been playing has made opposing players want to rebel against their teams and go join this team in Oxford. Jaxson Dart looks like the early Heisman favorite and with an easier SEC schedule, Ole Miss could find themselves in the SEC Championship.

Missouri:

Playing a close game to a sneaky good Boston College team is perfectly fine. Brady Cook had a decent game in the office while Luther Burden III had a game to remember. Missouri will be just fine as they continue through the 2024-25 campaign.

Oklahoma:

Tulane plays well against Power 4 teams, and Jackson Arnold and his Sooner army won by a pretty significant margin. He threw for 169 yards and a touchdown, but also rushed for 97 yards and added two scores on the ground. Tougher tests await in their first year in the SEC, but for now, Oklahoma is on a smooth wagon ride to the top.

“Everything Okay?”

Georgia:

And exhale. The Bulldogs escaped being the embarrassment of the week by one point after beating Kentucky 13-12. Not every game will be easy, and Georgia did a nice job finding a way to win.

But for now, is everything good in Athens?

Louisiana State:

LSU put their Week 1 woes away in Week 2 after dominating Nicholls. Those woes slowly came back in Week 3 when they traveled to take on the Gamecocks in Columbia. There are still a lot of questions regarding how good this team is.

Their schedule doesn’t get easier and playing a close game raises concerns about this team.

Texas A&M:

The Aggies Week 1 loss to Notre Dame looks a lot worse after Week 2 and the Gators gave this team a scare at the end of the game last week. Though The Swamp is one of the tougher places to play in all of college football, it is still tough to grasp where A&M will end up at the end of the year.

“It’s a trap!”

South Carolina:

Coming from a team that wasn’t supposed to be competitive this year to blowing out Kentucky at home and following that up by almost beating the No. 16 team in the country. Something is brewing in Columbia, folks.

Kentucky:

Put aside the bad loss in Week 2 this Wildcats team has been confusing. But losing by a single point to the then No. 1 team in the country is something that could really turn a season around.

“FCS Merchants”

Arkansas:

Not gonna knock them too much for losing to a tough Oklahoma State team, especially since they almost pulled off the upset. But outside of that game, the Razorbacks don’t have a win against a Power 4 team yet.

Auburn:

Auburn is the definition of this tier. Two blowout wins against Alabama A&M and New Mexico only to lose to California in Week 2. A tough test in Arkansas awaits.

Vanderbilt:

If only they beat Georgia St. Then the Commodores would not be in this tier. Another confusing SEC team that has to figure out their identity as the season continues.

“Mississippi State and Florida”

Mississippi State:

It’s one thing to lose to Arizona St. The Sun Devils are a team showing a lot of promise this year and could make some noise in the Big 12 if the opportunity presents itself.

But then to lose to a MAC team at home is inexcusable, regardless of how good they might be. Teams in the SEC are expected to win those games and win them big.

Florida:

The Gators have a historically tough schedule, but getting blown out at home to a rival and getting beat by A&M, also at home, is not great. At least they had Samford to beat up on.

Brennan Kirkpatrick is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email him at blk5545@psu.edu.