We had a few surprises this week in the SEC, and an opportunity for several more starting tonight.
Of course, the big surprise was the Tennessee Volunteers handing it to the Florida Gators in Knoxville back on Saturday. That was a shock to the system for most, but the Vols have played several teams really tough so far this year, and when Jarnell Stokes is able to be integrated into the Tennessee lineup, they are likely to only get better. Stokes is only the #5 overall prospect in the class of 2012, and even though he came out of high school earlier than planned, he can really help Tennessee where they need it most -- on the interior.
Also surprising was seeing a very tough Mississippi St. Bulldogs team go over to Fayetteville and be defeated by Mike Anderson's young Arkansas Razorbacks team. You know that Anderson's style is going to create a few upsets, especially later in the year after these young but talented Hawgs have time to buy into his system. It's hard to envision them winning the division, but they are more than capable of playing the role of spoiler to almost any SEC team, including Kentucky.
Here's my ballot. Note that the projections and numbers are all from Ken Pomeroy's site. I don't have any idea who he thinks will beat us, but statistically, it's a fair bet we'll lose a game or two somewhere, somehow. But these are his projections, not mine.
The rankings, however, are mine.
| My Rnk | Team | Overall | Conf | Proj | Pomeroy | Prnk | AdjO | Ornk | AdjD | Drnk | AdjT | Trnk | Conf SOS | SoSrnk | Comments |
| 1 | Kentucky | 15-1 | 1-0 | 14-2 | 0.9616 | 3 | 116.7 | 6 | 85.2 | 5 | 69.3 | 65 | 0.5072 | 10 | Just rolling along. Easy first road test at Auburn this week, tougher at Tennessee on Saturday. |
| 2 | Alabama | 12-3 | 1-0 | 12-4 | 0.9158 | 13 | 108.2 | 57 | 85.7 | 6 | 64.1 | 292 | 0.7379 | 8 | Two road wins back to back prove the Tide are legit. |
| 3 | Vanderbilt | 11-4 | 1-0 | 9-7 | 0.8421 | 37 | 108.1 | 60 | 91.8 | 40 | 67.6 | 153 | 0.2807 | 12 | Been a lot better lately. May have recovered from unexpectedly poor start. |
| 4 | Florida | 12-4 | 0-1 | 11-5 | 0.9100 | 14 | 121.2 | 1 | 96.7 | 114 | 67.8 | 146 | 0.7812 | 7 | The loss at Tennessee was an eye opener. Can this team win on the road? They haven't so far. |
| 5 | Mississippi St. | 13-3 | 0-1 | 8-8 | 0.7911 | 57 | 109.8 | 43 | 96.4 | 107 | 68.5 | 111 | 0.8345 | 6 | Road loss at Arkansas is not shameful, but the Tide comes in on the Bulldogs Saturday, and might wash them away. |
| 6 | Louisiana St. | 11-4 | 1-0 | 8-8 | 0.7529 | 74 | 100.0 | 182 | 89.7 | 21 | 67.1 | 181 | 0.4681 | 11 | Could Trent Johnson win the Coach of the Year and still get fired? Probably not even at LSU, but they aren't singing his praises just yet. Maybe they are too distracted by the spanking the football team got in the Big Easy. |
| 7 | Mississippi | 10-5 | 0-1 | 5-11 | 0.6098 | 129 | 95.9 | 245 | 91.8 | 39 | 69.1 | 81 | 0.8440 | 5 | This team is looking weaker by the day. |
| 8 | Arkansas | 12-3 | 1-0 | 8-8 | 0.7395 | 79 | 104.3 | 105 | 94.2 | 71 | 72.6 | 13 | 0.6808 | 9 | Good win versus the MSU Bulldogs. Can Anderson do it on the road against the other Magnolia State team? |
| 9 | Georgia | 9-6 | 0-1 | 5-11 | 0.6133 | 125 | 103.1 | 127 | 98.6 | 141 | 64.1 | 297 | 0.8597 | 3 | The brutal road trip to Gainesville and Nashville look to humble the Dawgs even further. |
| 10 | Tennessee | 8-7 | 1-0 | 7-9 | 0.6678 | 111 | 104.4 | 103 | 97.6 | 124 | 65.5 | 240 | 0.8506 | 4 | Biggest upset of the SEC season so far vs. Florida. Can they go down to Starkville and do it on the road? |
| 11 | South Carolina | 8-7 | 0-1 | 5-11 | 0.6464 | 116 | 105.0 | 90 | 99.0 | 152 | 63.3 | 311 | 0.9780 | 1 | Played Kentucky fairly tough, but the Commies are coming. |
| 12 | Auburn | 10-5 | 0-1 | 3-13 | 0.4093 | 211 | 95.1 | 259 | 98.5 | 140 | 67.4 | 167 | 0.9045 | 2 | Don't let the 10-5 record fool you. If they pick up more than one win between now and February, I'll be surprised. |
Agree? Disagree? Comment away!
0 recs | 23 comments
Really surprised at his projection for Miss. ST.
I saw them play Baylor tough. They did get ambused at Ark., but I imagine several teams could experience that. I just think Miss. St. is better than that.
jdogblue - January 10, 2012
Seems about right
I might push Tennessee ahead of Georgia, but then I’m currently watching the Dawgs get blown out at Florida.
Speaking of Florida, should a team whose best wins are at home against Arizona and Florida St really be considered a Top 25 team? I think Florida’s currently ranking is a perfect example of how preseason expectations overshadow actual play.
JLeverenz - January 10, 2012
I agree JL-
Georgia looks bad, and so does Louisville. I’m hoping to see Illinois knock off Ohio State later.
iam4ukintn - January 10, 2012
Not a Gator fan but, Is there more than meets the eye at Florida??
Five players averaging double figures …I’ve seen Beal play and he is as advertised … I know Boynton and Walker are solid … Patrick Young looks to be the beast … yet the results are not impressive … could it be that they will be a force later in the year???
ukcris - January 10, 2012
got me
I have not watched them except for most of last night’s game and a few odd moments here and there. They certainly seem to have the players to be really good, and close losses at Ohio St and at Syracuse are not to be sneezed at. I expect they will have a strong performance in conference, but might be looking at a 4-5 seed come tournament time unless they are able to win several games against UK, Alabama, Miss St and Vandy.
JLeverenz - January 11, 2012
I think they will be a force sometime,
But don’t we have six players averaging double figures? ’-)
a2d2 - January 11, 2012
Louisville is losing by 30?
To Providence?
bob in bg - January 10, 2012 via Android app
I think Pitino is on the verge of losing his team.
kywineman - January 10, 2012
Yikes.
bob in bg - January 10, 2012 via Android app
UL fans are starting to call for Pitino's head.
kywineman - January 10, 2012
He skipped the post game radio press conference.
All is not well in the river city.
bob in bg - January 10, 2012
Karen Sypher has a voodoo doll .... pins for Pitino ....... :)
ukcris - January 10, 2012
She could sell a lot of those
to UK fans.
kywineman - January 10, 2012
(Cat) Scratch That
Louisville lost by 31…….YIKES
OvaDwayneBowe - January 10, 2012
Ohio State lost.
kywineman - January 10, 2012
Buckeyes looked very beatable to me.
Meaning if there is a rematch come March.
maysvilleblue - January 11, 2012
Wow.
Cardinal fans have melted down and are now trying to prove the China Syndrome is real.
Most Louisville sites are still supercritical and are about to reach the lower mantle. You may want to wear a radiation monitor when viewing them, and I recommend only brief exposure, or permanent cognitive degradation could result. :-)
Glenn Logan - January 10, 2012
Gives new meaning to Angry Birds.
kywineman - January 11, 2012
Hah!
I don’t read that stuff. My blue is not fed by other teams’ internet fans (mostly anonymous gives new meaning to spewing from the mouth) in minor meltdown mode and especially full steam meltdown. So, you all will need to mention if/when they form a circle and have gathered with tar, feathers, torches, etc. ;-)
a2d2 - January 11, 2012
UL
It’s easy to kick a bird when it has hit the ground beak first and even easier to kick slick Rick when he is down but I remember days not so long ago when my beloved Cats were losing to the likes of Gardner-Webb at home. So I will just quietly enjoy the #2 ranking of UK and give the cardinal currently perched on my deck a smirk while I flip him the daily bird.
maysvilleblue - January 11, 2012
Checked it out this morning
Its like bad car wreck, you know you shouldn’t slow down and look but you just can’t help yourself. I ALMOST feel sorry for them. Not quite there yet, but almost.
KYGRLNNM - January 11, 2012
Definite possibility to get 5 in the tourney this year
I think Vandy outplays that 9-7 projection. They’re getting their sea legs under them with Ezeli back.
Mississippi State is definitely intriguing. Wins against A&M, Arizona, West Virginia, but head-scratching loss to Akron. If they can go 10-6 in conference with a couple of big W’s, I’d say they’re tourney bound.
jc25 - January 11, 2012
I think that's right.
Glenn Logan - January 11, 2012
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