Sep 53 min read

SEC Week 2 Power Rankings After Intriguing Week 1

From Aug. 29 through Sept. 1, all 16 Southeastern Conference teams kicked off their 2024 seasons. The conference ended Week 1 with an overall record of 13-3. However, in the matchups between ranked teams the SEC went just 1-2. The one ranked match the SEC won was the only top-15 matchup between No. 1 Georgia (1-0) and then No. 14 Clemson (0-1).

Many of the SEC teams opened their seasons with convincing wins. Out of the 16 SEC teams, 11 won by double digits and six of them held their opponents scoreless. On the other hand, several teams struggled against Power Four or ranked opponents.

The power rankings are voted on by the College Football Dawgs staff:

No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (1-0)

The Associated Press' Preseason No. 1 team started strong with a dominate win against a top-15 opponent. The Bulldogs' defense played well, holding Clemson to just 188 total yards and forced a turnover, while the Bulldogs had 447 total yards.

Georgia's senior quarterback Carson Beck led the offense with 23 completions on 33 attempts, totaling 278 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Bulldogs had high expectations for this season and lived up to the hype in their opener.

Upcoming game: Tennessee Tech (0-1)

2. No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0)

The Crimson Tide began the season with a dominant win at home against Western Kentucky (0-1). Under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, Alabama put up 600 yards of total offense and held Western Kentucky scoreless with only 145 offensive yards.

Alabama junior quarterback Jalen Milroe contributed 200 passing yards and 79 rushing yards, showcasing his dual-threat ability. As a team Alabama rushed for 334 yards, with seven players recording double-digit rushing yards. Even after the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban, Alabama still looks like a national contender

Upcoming game: South Florida (1-0)

3. No. 3 Texas Longhorns (1-0)

As one of the new members of the SEC this year, Texas made an early statement against Colorado State (0-1) in their season opener. Texas aired the ball out in this game with 355 yards passing and 4 touchdowns between quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning.

Now in Year 4 under head coach Steve Sarkisian, Texas is coming off a 12-2 season which included a College Football Playoff appearance. With QB Ewer's returning to for another season, expectations are high in Austin, Texas. Week 2 will be their first real test of the season as Texas travels to face No. 10 Michigan (1-0).

Upcoming game: at No. 10 Michigan (1-0)

4. No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels (1-0)

Ole Miss began the new season with their offense firing on all cylinders as they cruised past Furman in their Week 1 blowout victory. Second year starting quarterback Jaxson Dart stood out in the first half, throwing for 418 yards passing and accounting for 5 passing touchdowns and 1 rushing.

The new and improved Ole Miss defense shut down Furman's running game only allowing 26 on the ground. After bringing in one of the top transfer portal classes this offseason, head coach Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss is looking to contend for their first SEC championship.

Upcoming game: Middle Tennessee State (1-0)

5. No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers (1-0)

The Volunteers offense looks ready to be one of the best in the nation, combining for more than 700 yards of offense to start the season. In just his second career start, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamleava set a new school record for passing yards in a half with 314. Continuing the trend of impressive QB play that head coach Josh Heupel has had in his time with the Vols.

Tennesse was also able to move the ball effectively on the ground as well. The Vols had over 300 rushing yards as a team, and running back Dylan Sampson now leads the SEC in rushing after his 124-yard performance on only 12 carries.

Upcoming game: at No. 24 North Carolina State (1-0)

SEC Power Rankings: Nos. 6-16

6. No. 15 Oklahoma (1-0); upcoming game: Houston (0-1)

7. No. 9 Missouri (1-0); upcoming game: Buffalo (1-0)

8. Arkansas (1-0); upcoming game: at No. 16 Oklahoma State (1-0)

9. Auburn (1-0); upcoming game: Cal (1-0)

10. No. 18 LSU (0-1); upcoming game: Nicholls (0-1)

11. Mississippi State (1-0); upcoming game: at Arizona State (1-0)

12. Kentucky (1-0); upcoming game: South Carolina (1-0)

13. Vanderbilt (1-0); upcoming game: Alcorn State (0-1)

14. Texas A&M (0-1); upcoming game: McNeese (1-1)

15. South Carolina (1-0); upcoming game: at Kentucky (1-0)

16. Florida (0-1); upcoming game: Samford (0-1)

In Week 2 the SEC will have the first conference game of the season between South Carolina and Kentucky. Along with some intriguing matchups against other Power four teams such as Arkansas at No. 16 Oklahoma State, No. 14 Tennessee at No. 24 NC State, and No. 3 Texas at No. 10 Michigan.