The Georgia Bulldogs feasted on a FCS opponent in Tennessee Tech to move to 2-0. The SEC’s top game of Week 2 featured a dominant Texas Longhorns‘ win at the Michigan Wolverines. Texas snapped a lengthy Michigan home winning streak and looked like a College Football Playoff contender in the process.
Week 2 was a mixed bag for the SEC in nonconference play. The SEC went 3-3 against Power Four opponents. Arkansas nearly upset Oklahoma State on the road in a bit of a surprise before the Razorbacks fell in overtime. Tennessee looked like an SEC championship contender in their massive 51-10 win over NC State. Auburn and Mississippi State both lost to former Pac-12 programs in one score games. Oklahoma topped Houston in a narrow win as well.
SEC football power rankings after Week 2
1. Georgia Bulldogs (2-0)
Quarterback Carson Beck completed five different touchdown passes to five different wide receivers as the Bulldogs rolled in Week 2. Georgia’s 48-3 win over Tennessee Tech comes a week after the Dawgs’ big season opener against Clemson.
2. Texas Longhorns (2-0)
We liked the Texas Longhorns’ chances at Michigan and they proved us right. Texas’ 31-12 win over Michigan looks a little bit closer than the game was in reality. Texas held a 24-3 halftime lead and did not let up.
Not expecting to see quarterback Nico Iamaleava and Tennessee ranked this highly? The Volunteers demolished NC State 51-10 and have a win over a Power Four opponent, which is something that their SEC power rankings cohorts can’t claim.
4. Ole Miss Rebels (2-0)
Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart posted another monster game against weak competition. Dart passed for over 377 yards and one touchdown in the Rebels’ 52-3 win over Middle Tennessee. The Rebels face an easy nonconference schedule over the first four weeks of the season.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0)
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe and the Alabama offense must have dominated in their 42-16 win over South Florida, right? Wrong. The Crimson Tide held a narrow 21-16 lead with less than six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter before they scored three straight touchdowns.
6. Missouri Tigers (2-0)
Missouri has back-to-back shut out wins over weak competition, but that is a good sign for the Tigers’ defense. Missouri beat Buffalo 38-0 in Week 2, but faces a Power Four foe in Boston College in Week 3.
7. Oklahoma Sooners (2-0)
Oklahoma did not exactly look like world-beaters in their 16-12 win over Houston, but the Sooners are 2-0 and have a win over a Power Four opponent.
8. LSU Tigers (1-1)
The LSU Tigers bounced back in Week 2 with a 44-21 win over Nicholls State. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier helped the Tigers get back on track with a six touchdown performance after LSU’s Week 1 loss to USC.
9. South Carolina Gamecocks (2-0)
A week after getting outgained by Old Dominion, South Carolina topped Kentucky 31-6. The Gamecocks still have some offensive questions, but their defense came to play against Kentucky, who totaled only 183 yards and averaged under three yards per play.
10. Vanderbilt Commodores (2-0)
Vanderbilt is probably ranked too high here, but they are 2-0 and have a Power Four win (in Week 1 over Virginia Tech). The Commodores are out of the cellar and took care of business in a 55-0 win over Alcorn State.
11. Arkansas Razorbacks (1-1)
Quarterback Talen Green continues to look good, but Arkansas fell in overtime 39-31 to Oklahoma State. The Razorbacks held a 21-7 halftime lead on the road, but could not seal the deal.
12. Texas A&M Aggies (1-1)
Texas A&M got back on track with a 52-10 win over McNeese. The Aggies’ Week 1 loss to Notre Dame looks worse now that Notre Dame lost to Northern Illinois.
13. Auburn Tigers (1-1)
Auburn’s 21-14 home loss to California hurts. Quarterback Payton Thorne threw four interceptions in a rough outing. Auburn’s rushing attack remains the strength of their offense.
14. Florida Gators (1-1)
Florida dominated Samford 45-7 in what may be the Gators’ only easy game all season. DJ Lagway passed for 457 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
15. Kentucky Wildcats (1-1)
Yikes! Kentucky played well enough defensively, but suffered a brutal 31-6 loss to a South Carolina team with a lot of question marks. Not idea when you consider that the Wildcats host Georgia in Week 3.
16. Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-1)
Mississippi State nearly completed a comeback against Arizona State, but came up short in a 30-23 road loss.
This article originally appeared on Bulldogs Wire: SEC power rankings after Week 2, Texas’ big win
