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The SEC got quite a boost last week, especially with Arkansas’ thrilling win over TCU.
As a result, coaches still placed eight SEC teams in their poll while sports writers included the same number of conference squads in the Associated Press Top 25.
However, Georgia took the biggest tumble in the AP Poll following its 26-24 victory over Nicholls State. The Bulldogs dropped seven spots from No. 9 to their current ranking of No. 16.
But should Georgia have fallen that far? And are other teams deservedly where they should be?
Based on last week’s results and not falling victim to massive overreactions, here’s how the AP Top 25 should’ve looked based on Week 2 performances.
HOW THE AP TOP 25 POLL SHOULD’VE LOOKED
1. Alabama (2-0; 56 first-place votes) — Yes, the Crimson Tide committed 12 penalties in its 38-10 home win over Western Kentucky on Saturday. And Bama didn’t look nearly as good as it did when it trounced the USC Trojans in its opener. But while watching Alabama struggle with the Hilltoppers, we couldn’t help but think that Nick Saban’s players were looking ahead to this Saturday’s big matchup at Ole Miss. We’re positive that Saban is reminding them that Hugh Freeze’s Rebels have won the last two matchups.
2. Florida State (2-0; 4 first-place votes) — The Seminoles moved up a spot in the AP Poll, and they rightfully finished ahead of Clemson, which was lucky to beat Troy at home. After scoring 33 unanswered points to beat Ole Miss in their opener, the Seminoles took care of business by stomping Charleston Southern, 52-8, at home on Saturday. This week’s visit to Lamar Jackson and Louisville should go a long way toward determining whether FSU is the second-best team in the country.
3. Ohio State (2-0) — The Buckeyes have beaten their first two opponents – Bowling Green and Tulsa – by a combined 125-13 score. But both of those wins came at home. Saturday night’s visit to Oklahoma will definitely be a reality check.
4. Michigan (2-0; 1 first-place vote) — Just like Ohio State’s first two matchups, the Wolverines’ first two games were cakewalks with Jim Harbaugh’s squad beating Hawaii and Central Florida, respectively, by a combined 114-17 score. But get used to Michigan being ranked this high for a while: No. 9 Wisconsin is the first ranked team the Wolverines will play. And that game isn’t until Oct. 1 at the Big House.
5. Clemson (2-0) — The Tigers have been consistent – with 6-point victories over Auburn and Troy – but they haven’t been impressive. Ray-Ray McCloud is a lucky man. Can you imagine how bad the uproar would have been had Clemson lost because of McCloud’s premature celebration during what should have been a punt return for a touchdown? We’re guessing that former Oregon Duck Kaelin Clay – who mimicked McCloud’s move two years ago — feels a little bit better these days.
6. Houston (2-0) — In the longest game of the day on Saturday, the Cougars blanked Lamar 42-0 in what became a 6-hour, 18-minute matchup due to extensive weather delays. Houston visits fellow unbeaten Cincinnati on Thursday night in what could be the second-toughest tilt on its schedule after its Nov. 17 home game against Louisville.
7. Stanford (1-0) — It’s tempting to rank a team such as the Cardinal lower after having a bye, but that wouldn’t be fair. Neither was what happened to Oklahoma State on Saturday, but we’ll get to that later.
8. Wisconsin (2-0) — The Badgers get the nod here over Washington for having a better body of work, particularly their win over LSU at Lambeau last week. Keep an eye on Corey Clement’s ankle injury. The Badgers should enjoy their stay in the top 10 as long as they can. After Wisconsin hosts Georgia State this Saturday, the Badgers’ next four opponents are Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa. Talk about a brutal stretch.
9. Louisville (2-0) — Jackson has had an incredible two-game stretch so far this season. But how will he do against Florida State? Good thing you asked. As we mentioned earlier, the Seminoles visit Louisville on Saturday.
10. Washington (2-0) — We’ve ranked Louisville one spot ahead of the Huskies because of how impressive Jackson has been, and because the Cardinals have outscored their first two opponents (Charlotte, Syracuse) by a combined 90 points. Nothing against Washington, but its first two opponents (Rutgers, Idaho) might be two of the worst teams in the country.
11. Texas (2-0) – The Longhorns routed UTEP, 41-7, in what could’ve been a letdown game after a season-opening win over Notre Dame. Texas is 2-0 for the first time since 2012.
12. Michigan State (1-0) – Just like Stanford, the Spartans had a bye last week.
13. Iowa (2-0) – There’s a really good chance that the Hawkeyes will be 7-0 by the time they host Wisconsin on Oct. 22. Top 10 here they come.
14. Tennessee (2-0) — Spotting Virginia Tech a 14-0 first-quarter lead wasn’t good. But scoring 24 straight points in the second quarter was great. After Saturday’s home game against Ohio, the Volunteers should be chomping at the bit for their matchup with Florida at Neyland Stadium the following week.
15. Georgia (2-0) — The Bulldogs were lucky to beat Nicholls State on Saturday. Not sure if they were looking ahead to their SEC opener at Missouri this Saturday, but conference play probably couldn’t come at a better time. After finishing with 222 rushing yards against North Carolina, Nick Chubb had only 80 against the Colonels. That obviously has to improve.
16. Texas A&M (2-0) — After the Aggies’ rousing victory over UCLA in their opener, it was good to see them keep their feet on the gas pedal in their 67-0 rout of Prairie View A&M. Kevin Sumlin’s squad opens SEC play at Auburn on Saturday night.
17. Florida (2-0) — Another year, another Gator victory over Kentucky. Florida has a potential look-ahead home game against North Texas on Saturday before visiting Tennessee the following week.
18. Arkansas (2-0) — Yes, the Razorbacks did blow a 20-7 lead. And Kenny Hill’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for his throat-slash gesture set up a short field for what proved to be Arkansas’ game-tying touchdown at the end of regulation. But despite all that, the Hogs beat a top-15 team on the road, which is why they’re back in the Top 25 themselves.
19. Oklahoma State (1-1) — Not only should the Cowboys be 2-0, they should still be ranked in the Top 25. It’s surprising that Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy didn’t try to run out the clock by staying in bounds with a running play. But it’s even more surprising that the officiating crew for Central Michigan’s 30-27 victory in Stillwater didn’t know the rules.
20. Ole Miss (1-1) — The Rebels got what they needed – an easy 38-10 win over Wofford. On Saturday, we’ll see if Freeze can beat Saban for the third year in a row.
21. LSU (1-1) — In a game that was probably closer than it should’ve been, the Tigers played without Leonard Fournette while beating Jacksonville State, 34-13, at home. Danny Etling, who replaced Brandon Harris at QB after two series, might not start Saturday night when LSU opens SEC play at home against Mississippi State. But at the very least, the Purdue transfer gives his team and fans some hope.
22. Notre Dame (1-1)
23. Baylor (2-0)
24. Oregon (2-0)
25. Miami (2-0)
Stan Chrapowicki is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Alabama and Auburn.
