There are a handful of risers and fallers after another week of action in the SEC.
For some, it was a banner week. For others, it was one of disappointment.
Here is how things shake out headed into Week 3:
1. Alabama
Previous Week: 1
Alabama probably didn’t handle Mercer the way it had hoped for in a 48-14 victory. In fact, the Bears covered the spread against the defending national champions.
Still, Bryce Young and the Alabama offense looked the part once again. After ripping apart Miami, Young threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns. As we approach SEC play, Young is looking like one of the early frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy.
The Crimson Tide will visit Florida in a Week 3 game that has major implications for both teams.
2. Georgia
Previous Week: 2
After not scoring a touchdown in a Week 1 win over Clemson, the Georgia offense got on track and found the end zone eight times against UAB in a 56-7 rout. This time, it did so without JT Daniels.
Stetson Bennett looked the part against the Blazers and put up the best numbers of his career. Five of his 10 completions went for scores.
The Bulldogs kick off SEC play in a week against Vanderbilt.
3. Ole Miss
Previous Week: 5
Fresh off a win over Louisville, Ole Miss handled Austin Peay 54-17 in what was another big game for quarterback Matt Corral.
The run game didn’t skip a beat either; the Rebels ran for over 300 yards with 11 different ball carriers.
The defense remains the biggest question heading into SEC play, but Ole Miss looks to have a much-improved group from a year ago. We will know more in the coming weeks on whether Ole Miss is for real.
4. Arkansas
Previous Week: 8
Arkansas was underdogs against Texas and pulled off the upset. Not only was it an upset, but it was a 40-21 blowout win.
That win gave Arkansas some much-needed momentum as a program. That win immediately launched the Razorbacks into another tier in the SEC as a force to be reckoned with.
Arkansas has cracked the top 25 for the first time since 2016.
5. Florida
Previous Week: 4
A lack of stability at quarterback may be worrisome for Florida after a 42-20 road win over South Florida. Still, Anthony Richardson has given the Gators hope at that spot, and could push Emory Jones for the starting job in the coming weeks.
Florida has beat up on two in-state schools in Florida Atlantic and South Florida, but it feels like the fans are still wanting more.
Is this the team that we saw last year? Or will the struggles continue? We will know more this week when Alabama comes to town.
6. Texas A&M
Previous Week: 3
Texas A&M might not be the contender that we thought it was. It took a touchdown in the final minutes to win 10-7 and avoid a huge upset against Colorado this past week. To make matters worse, starting quarterback Haynes King will miss the majority of the season after suffering a leg fracture.
The good news? A&M still has a plethora of playmakers. Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane are big-play threats in the backfield. Ainias Smith and Jalen Wydermeyer are super reliable targets on the outside.
If the play behind center can improve, then everything can fall in place. Right now, the Aggies don’t look like the team that we thought they were coming into the season.
7. Kentucky
Previous Week: 7
The new Kentucky offense looks better than a lot of people expected, and Will Levis has injected life into the team at quarterback.
In last week’s 35-28 win over Missouri, the passing attack wasn’t as prolific, but Chris Rogriguez ran for over 200 yards and found the end zone three times.
As we head into SEC play, look for more consistency offensively. If those two can fall together, the Wildcats may be Georgia’s biggest competitor in the SEC East down the stretch.
8. Auburn
Previous Week: 6
Is Auburn a contender or a pretender in the SEC? We’ll know more this week when the Tigers visit Penn State.
Up to this point, the Bryan Harsin era has gotten off to a good start. Auburn has knocked off its first two opponents by a combined score of 122-10. More importantly, it has played clean and efficiently outside of a rocky first half against Alabama State.
It is hard to put stock into beating teams like Akron and Alabama State, but Auburn handled both of them better than expected. It was 62-0 against the Hornets this past week.
A lot is riding on this trip to Happy Valley. Should Auburn knock off Penn State, the Tigers could put themselves in a position to be one of the better teams in the league down the stretch.
9. Missouri
Previous Week: 9
Missouri showed some fight against Kentucky last week, but was just simply outmatched, 35-28.
Quarterback Connor Bazeklak showed some heart by staying in for the last play while injured, but it wasn’t enough. Bazelak had a huge night, but the offensive line struggled for the second straight week.
Mizzou has a quality quarterback. To have a quality season, it must protect him.
10. LSU Tigers
Previous Week: 10
LSU fans were hoping for a satisfying victory over McNeese after getting embarrassed by UCLA in Week 1. Unfortunately, that was not the case. LSU won 34-7 behind Max Johnson’s arm, but once again struggled to run the football.
If LSU can’t run the ball against UCLA and McNeese, then it will be a long season in Baton Rouge.
LSU will open up SEC play against Mississippi State this week. The loser of that game may very well be on its way to being the bottom dweller in the SEC West.
11. South Carolina Gamecocks
Previous Week: 12
It wasn’t a satisfying win over East Carolina, but South Carolina found a way, thanks to a final second field goal, 20-17.
The Gamecocks have a rough-looking roster, but they are 2-0 with a graduate assistant at quarterback. Once they get healthier, their level of play should improve.
South Carolina probably won’t be very competitive in SEC play, but it has already matched its win total from last year.
12. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Previous Week: 13
Mississippi State bounced back from a near disaster against Louisiana Tech by knocking off NC State this weekend, 24-10. The Wolfpack were actually favored.
The Bulldogs are 2-0, but it feels like they’re holding on by the skin of their teeth. Can head coach Mike Leach field a competitive team in SEC play? We will know more when LSU comes to town this weekend.
13. Tennessee Volunteers
Previous Week: 12
Questionable calls and a lack of execution cost Tennessee against Pittsburgh in Week 2. Despite falling to the Panthers 41-34, the offense once again looked good.
Hendon Hooker came in and the Volunteers immediately started moving the ball. You’d have to wonder if Hooker will take the job from Joe Milton, which is certainly a possibility.
It was a rough loss, but it isn’t time to hit the panic button just yet. Tennessee has a tune-up game against Tennessee Tech this Saturday. After that, SEC play begins with a trip to Florida.
14. Vanderbilt Commodores
Previous Week: 14
It took a last-second field goal for Vanderbilt to knock off Colorado State this past week, 24-21. That win snapped an 11-game losing streak for the Commodores.
Unfortunately, things get rough for Vandy. Stanford comes to town this weekend, which looks like a tougher game than it did a week ago. That is followed by a date against Georgia the week after.
Vandy snags Connecticut in two weeks. It’s a long season, but that may be the Commodores’ final chance for a win.