There’s a new No. 1 in our SEC football power rankings — and it’s not Brian Kelly’s accent
The SEC ran the Saturday slate in Week 1 of the college football season, only to have LSU fall to Florida State in a Sunday night thriller. Most of these SEC wins were of the blowout variety, but based on strength of victory, we can reshape things a bit.
1. Georgia
Last week: 2
This week: vs. Samford
What to know: The Bulldogs completely dismantled the No. 12-ranked team in the country. But sure, put 12 teams in the playoffs.
2. Alabama
Last week: 1
This week: at Texas
What to know: Utah is known as the Beehive State, but after a 55-0 loss, Utah State left Tuscaloosa having encountered one far from home. Ouch.
3. Texas A&M
Last week: 3
This week: vs. Appalachian State
What to know: Jimbo Fisher has his sandbag for this week after App State took North Carolina to the wire. But unlike UNC, Texas A&M isn’t traveling to Boone, N.C., so that Smoky Mountain magic will have to travel.
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4. Florida
Last week: 7
This week: vs. Kentucky
What to know: The SEC spread pick of the week from yours truly was Utah -2.5 against the Fighting Napiers. Thanks, Billy. I’m off and running.
5. Arkansas
Last week: 6
This week: vs. South Carolina
What to know: With help from a jump pass for a goal-line touchdown against Cincinnati, Arkansas jumps over Tennessee for the time being.
6. Kentucky
Last week: 4
This week: at Florida
What to know: Four years ago, Mark Stoops took Kentucky to the Swamp and spoiled Dan Mullen’s first SEC game as the Gators’ coach. He’ll come back Saturday with a fine chance to do Billy Napier the same way.
7. Tennessee
Last week: 5
This week: at Pitt
What to know: It’s the Johnny Majors Bowl this week for the Volunteers. Majors sandwiched two coaching stints at Pitt around a 16-year stretch at UT — a sandwich Phil Fulmer cut in half.
8. Ole Miss
Last week: 8
This week: vs. Central Arkansas
What to know: Jaxson Dart started at quarterback against Troy. Luke Altmyer will start against Central Arkansas. And in all likelihood, we still won’t know which will win the job.
9. Mississippi State
Last week: 9
This week: at Arizona
What to know: In the upset of the week, Mike Leach said nothing funny, outlandish or even remotely interesting following an opening win over Memphis. This won’t stand.
10. Auburn
Last week: 12
This week: vs. San Jose State
What to know: The Bryan Harsin watch doesn’t really begin until Week 3. Of course, Allen Greene thought he’d last at least that long, too.
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11. LSU
Last week: 10
This week: vs. Southern
What to know: Brian Kelly still can’t talk Cajun. But after the way the Tigers dropped one to FSU, he’ll now get to listen to a lot more of it.
12. South Carolina
Last week: 11
This week: at Arkansas
What to know: How did Georgia State outgain South Carolina 311-306, intercept Spencer Rattler twice, and still lose by 21? Special teams, and Sir Big Spur getting his name back.
13. Missouri
Last week: 13
This week: at Kansas State
What to know: Nothing says «11 a.m. kickoff on the Deuce» quite like a Missouri-Kansas State game.
14. Vanderbilt
Last week: 14
This week: vs. Wake Forest
What to know: Commodores QB Mike Wright is every bit the electrifying athlete Hawaii and Elon have made him look like. He’ll be a handful for anyone. Vanderbilt won’t.
Reach Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @chasegoodbread
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: SEC football power rankings 2022: Georgia jumps Alabama in Week 1