Jeff: SEC Rankings

Every week WWL.com's Jeff Palermo ranks the football teams in the Southeastern Conference. This week he's got Alabama, Florida, LSU and South Carolina holding tight on top. Ole Miss is the big mover, jumping up 4 spots, while Arkansas tumbles. Here's how Jeff sees the SEC stacking up:

1. ALABAMA (1)

Last Week: Beat Tennessee 12 to 10

This Week: Bye

The off week comes at a good time for the Crimson Tide. They’ve scored only one offensive touchdown in the last two games. Quarterback Greg McElroy averaged 256 yards passing in the first four games, but since then he’s averaged only half that. McElroy hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in the last three games.


2. FLORIDA (2)

Last Week: Beat Mississippi State 29 to 19

This Week: vs. Georgia

Quarterback Tim Tebow threw two interceptions last week to bring his total for the year to four. That matches his total for last season. He’s thrown only 8 touchdowns this season, and is on pace to throw 14 TDs. He threw 30 touchdowns during last year’s national championship season.


3. LSU (3)

Last Week: Beat Auburn 31 to 10

This Week: Tulane

What a difference a week makes. Before the Auburn game, LSU fans were starting to wonder if they would ever score 30 points in a game again. But after a solid performance against the War Eagles, and Alabama showing flaws against Tennessee, Tiger Nation believes they got a shot at beating the Tide in Tuscaloosa on November 7th.   


4. SOUTH CAROLINA (4)

Last Week: Beat Vanderbilt 14 to 10

This Week: at Tennessee

After scoring for 14 points against Vandy, I’m looking for some other team in the SEC to take over the number four spot in these weekly rankings. The Gamecocks are facing a tough trip to Knoxville. Tennessee is due for a big win.


5. OLE MISS (9)

Last Week: Beat Arkansas 30 to 17

This Week: at Auburn

Quarterback Jevan Snead played like a Heisman Trophy candidate last week as he threw for a career-high 332 yards and two touchdowns against the Razorbacks. Dexter McCluster is one of the most exciting players in the SEC, over 100 yards receiving and rushing last week. The schedule sets up for another strong finish for the Rebels.


6. TENNESSEE (6)

Last Week: Lost to Alabama 12 to 10

This Week: Host South Carolina

Do you remember the mid-90’s when Tennessee had Peyton Manning and Steve Spurrier’s Florida Gators were winning SEC Championships with Danny Wuerffel? Something tells me Saturday’s quarterback match-up between Stephen Garcia and Johnathan Crompton will not live up to those glory days.


7. GEORGIA (7)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: vs. Florida

It’s been a tough year for the Bulldogs, but a win over rival Florida will greatly ease the pain Georgia fans are feeling.


8. ARKANSAS (5)

Last Week: Lost to Ole Miss 30 to 17

This Week: Host Eastern Michigan

It’s hard to figure out the Razorbacks. They nearly beat Florida, but they were overmatched last Saturday when they lost to the Rebels. The Hogs play the next four games at home, before traveling to Death Valley for the regular season finale.


9. Kentucky (10)

Last Week: Beat ULM 36 to 13

This Week: Host Mississippi State

The Wildcats need to win to keep their bowl hopes alive. But the Bulldogs are due to win a game they are not supposed to.


10. AUBURN (8)

Last Week: Lost to LSU 31 to 10

This Week: Host Ole Miss

Auburn has just one sure win left on their schedule. They could finish 6-and-6 after starting 5-and-0.


11. MISSISSIPPI STATE (11)

Last Week: Lost to Florida 29 to 19

This Week: at Kentucky

Mississippi State freshman cornerback Johnthan Banks did his best Darren Sharper impersonation against Florida. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns.


12. VANDERBILT (12)

Last Week: Lost to South Carolina 14 to 10

This Week: Host Georgia Tech

The Commodores have a bad football team, but they have a great up and coming player. Freshman Warren Norman leads the SEC in all-purpose yards. His 99-yard kick-off return for a touchdown against the Gamecocks last week was a thing of beauty.