BamaOnLine.com - SEC Power Poll

November 5, 2009

Travis Reier
BamaOnLine.com Senior Analyst

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE POWER RANKINGS
RANK	LW	TEAM
1	1	Florida Gators Record: 8-0 (6-0 in SEC) The good news: Riley Cooper is to UF what Jeff Samardzija was to Notre Dame. A pair of two-sport athletes who were overshadowed by their respective quarterbacks. The bad news: Brandon Spikes is to sportsmanship what Gary Cherone was to Van Halen. Neither was associated with the other for very long. Next game: vs. Vanderbilt, Nov. 7 (7:15 p.m. ET/ESPN2).
2	2	Alabama Crimson Tide Record: 8-0 (5-0) The good news: Despite declining numbers over the last three games, quarterback Greg McElroy continues to say all the right things. Whether or not he's still buying what he's selling is a question that will be answered this week. The bad news: Nick Saban wants to see McElroy work the middle of the field more but with tight end Colin Peek questionable (at best) for LSU, that might be easier said than done. Next game: vs. LSU, Nov. 7 (2:30 p.m. CT/CBS).
3	3	LSU Tigers Record: 7-1 (4-1) The good news: For one of the few times this season, the Tigers offense showcased the running game, churning out 267 yards in a 42-0 win over Tulane. The bad news: The Green Wave ranks 108th among 120 FBS teams in rushing defense. Alabama, on the other hand, ranks second. Next game: at Alabama, Nov. 7 (2:30 p.m. CT/CBS).
4	8	Tennessee Volunteers Record: 4-4 (2-3) The good news: With Memphis, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Kentucky still on the schedule, a five-game winning streak to end the regular season isn't out of the question. The bad news: The perception that this is a young team, isn't entirely accurate. Yes, there have been strong contributions from freshmen Bryce Brown, Marsalis Teague and Janzen Jackson. But 2010 will usher in large question marks along both lines of scrimmage and at quarterback. Next game: vs. Memphis, Nov. 7 (7 p.m. ET/ESPNU).
5	10	Auburn Tigers Record: 6-3 (3-3) The good news: Zac Etheridge is upright and ambulatory. The bad news: The loss of Etheridge further depletes a secondary that has been shorthanded since the preseason. Next game: vs. Furman, Nov. 7 (12:30 p.m. CT/PPV).
6	4	South Carolina Record: 6-3 (3-3) The good news: In throwing for 300 yards in the loss to Tennessee, Stephen Garcia eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark for the season. With an Arkansas pass defense that ranks 113th among FBS teams up next, Garcia might hit the 2,500 mark this week. The bad news: Star defensive end Cliff Matthews separated his left shoulder in Knoxville, and will miss this week's game at Arkansas. Not exactly ideal for a defense preparing to take on a Bobby Petrino offense. Next game: at Arkansas, Nov. 7 (11:21 a.m. CT/SECN).
7	6	Georgia Bulldogs Record: 4-4 (3-3) The good news: When he wasn't having his retinas detached by Spikes, freshman tailback Washaun Ealey showed promise in the loss to Florida, rushing for a team-high 70 yards on 17 carries. The bad news: After offering up three interceptions (that led to 17 points for the Gators), the same can't be said for the quarterback position. With that, Mark Richt is sticking with veteran Joe Cox over freshman Aaron Murray. The biggest loser in all this? UGA's pay-per-view provider, whose buy numbers this week might be even lower than the Dawgs' self-esteem. Next game: vs. Tennessee Tech, Nov. 7 (1 p.m. ET/PPV).
8	5	Ole Miss Rebels Record: 5-3 (2-3) The good news: If not for the innate awareness shown by running back Rodney Scott, the neck injury sustained by Auburn safety Zac Etheridge could have been much more severe. Scott lay still underneath Etheridge while medical personnel stabilized Etheridge for transport to a local hospital. The bad news: A trip to Atlanta remains an outside possibility -- just not the one many forecasted for this team in the preseason. Next game: vs. Northern Arizona, Nov. 7 (6:30 p.m. CT/CSS).
9	7	Arkansas Razorbacks Record: 4-4 (1-4) The good news: In posting three non-conference wins this season, the Razorbacks have averaged 546 yards of total offense. The bad news: In conference play (you know, the games that really matter), the Razorbacks have dropped four out of five contests. Next game: vs. South Carolina, Nov. 7 (11:21 a.m. CT/SECN).
10	11	Mississippi State Bulldogs Record: 4-5 (2-3) The good news: He's not receiving the same kind of national attention as Mark Ingram or Tim Tebow, but Anthony Dixon's 252-yard rushing effort in the win over Kentucky might have been the most impressive individual performance of the SEC season. The bad news: With games left against Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss, getting to six wins and bowl eligibility might be asking a little too much from this ever-improving team. Next game: vs. Alabama, Nov. 14 (6 p.m. ET/ESPN or ESPN2).
11	9	Kentucky Wildcats Record: 4-4 (1-4) The good news: After enduring a bit of road bump en route to having his eligibility status revolved, mega-recruit John Wall will make a huge impact in Lexington. The bad news: Wall isn't a quarterback. He's a point guard. Next game: vs. Eastern Kentucky, Nov. 7 (1 p.m. ET/WKYT).
12	12	Vanderbilt Commodores Record: 2-7 (0-5) The good news: The Commodores scored more points (28) in the first half of their loss to Georgia Tech than in their previous two games combined (a total of 20 points in losses to Georgia and South Carolina). The bad news: Last week's question: If Army ran for 222 yards against the Commodores defense, how many will Georgia Tech pile up in Nashville? Answer: 408. Next game: at Florida, Nov. 7 (7:15 p.m. ET/ESPN2).