The Georgia Bulldogs feasted on Football Championship Subdivision opponent 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 but fell in overtime. Tennessee looked like an SEC championship contender in its massive 51-10 win over NC State. Auburn and Mississippi State lost to former Pac-12 programs in one-score games. Oklahoma topped Houston in a narrow win.
SEC football power rankings after Week 2
1. Georgia Bulldogs (2-0)
Quarterback Carson Beck completed five touchdown passes to five 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 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 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 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, Boston College, in Week 3.
7. Oklahoma Sooners (2-0)
Oklahoma did not 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 offensive questions, but their defense came to play against Kentucky, which totaled 183 yards and averaged less than three yards per play.
10. Vanderbilt Commodores (2-0)
Vanderbilt is probably ranked too high here, but it is 2-0 and has a Power Four win (in Week 1, 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 was 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. D.J. 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 ideal when you consider 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.