New this year is a power poll voted on by 12 SEC writers, one covering each school in the conference and including yours truly. No specific criteria were given and writers ranked the teams one through 12. The higher the ranking the more points awarded; so, first place received 12, second place received 11 and so on.
Here’s how the teams ranked, with first-place votes in parentheses:
1. LSU (10) 142 – Tigers have impressive wins over Oregon and Mississippi State.
2. Alabama (2) 134 – Crimson Tide is loaded but has only beat up on weaker teams.
3. Arkansas 114 – Razorbacks lead conference in total offense.
4. South Carolina 109 – Unbeaten Gamecocks have a win over Georgia in the division.
5. Florida 102 – Gators’ best-in-the-nation rush D has them off to 3-0 start.
6. Miss. State 69 – Bulldogs have losses to LSU, Auburn.
7. Auburn 68 – Tigers last in SEC in total defense.
7. Georgia 68 – Bulldogs 1-2 with losses to two ranked teams.
9. Tennessee 53 – Vols’ passing attack stymied vs. UF.
10. Vanderbilt 42 – Commodores off to 3-0 start, lead conference in INTs and sacks/game.
11. Kentucky 22 – Wildcats are 2-1 but looked bad vs. Western Kentucky, Louisville.
12. Ole Miss 14 – Rebels have conference’s worst offense and are 0-2 in SEC.
Here’s a look at who’s voting: Andy Bitter, Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer; Seth Emerson, Macon (Ga.) Telegraph; Rachel George, Orlando Sentinel; Andrew Gribble, Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel; Mike Herndon, The (Mobile, Ala.) Press-Register; Hugh Kellenberger, Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger; Josh Kendall, The State (S.C.); Jeff Lockridge, Nashville Tennessean; Brandon Marcello, Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger; Thomas Murphy, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Kyle Tucker, Louisville Courier-Journal; Randy Rosetta, Tiger Sports Digest (Baton Rouge, La.).
