Home Cecil Hurt Cecil Hurt’s SEC Power Rankings: Preseason

Cecil Hurt’s SEC Power Rankings: Preseason

August 28, 2018

1206

Rank	Team	2017 Rank
1		1	The SEC’s unhappiest happy fans expect no bumps — maybe a Nick Saban rant, but no more — en route to another championship.
2		2	The blueprint Kirby Smart follows (Saban’s) says this is the Bulldogs’ year. That is, if they can use Saban’s plan against him.
3		3	Too good to call a dark horse. Too balky when expectations rise. Don’t bet the mortgage on AU, but a few extra dollars…
4		4	The Bulldogs could legitimately win two or three Power 5 divisions this season — just not the one they are stuck in.
5		8	The Rebels have enough mascots for three bowl games, but can’t make one. They can, however, make trouble for unwary opponents.
6		6	Could the SEC East race be settled on the second Saturday of the season when Georgia comes to Columbia? Very possibly.
7		7	The countdown is on for the first oil baron to tilt back his Stetson and say “I paid $75 million for this?!?”
8		5	The most intriguing team in the SEC, or as Coach O would say, “Z’mos intrigene team in the Essisee.” Answers will come quickly.
9		9	Like a UFC fighter with a 7-6 record, the one thing you’re sure of is the Tigers’ punching power, thanks to Drew Lock.
10		11	Wouldn’t it be funny if the only thing that has been holding Dan Mullen back is his innate hatred of cowbells?
11		10	No jokes about basketball season being “X” days away. Well, maybe later. Is anyone in Lexington enthused? Don’t say “Yes, for basketball season.”
12		14	The head coach has departed. The trash cans remain. Fill one with ice for Jeremy Pruitt to cool down, at least this year.
13		13	Roget’s Thesaurus lists 427 synonyms for “valiant,” but none for “finished over .500.” Such is the perennial fate of the Commodores.
14		12	Overheard at SEC Media Days: “Arkansas has the same bad players as before, but now they do things twice as fast.”