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SEC Power Poll ballot, Week 5: LSU remains No. 1

The Bayou Bengals look like the most balanced team in the conference right now.

By Chris Fuhrmeister
Chris Graythen

1. LSU (4-0, 1-0) -- The Tigers gave up some yards to Auburn, but they jumped out to a big lead and never let the other Tigers get within 14. As balanced as the offense is (229 passing, 227 rushing vs. Auburn), LSU is going to be tough to stop all year.

2. Alabama (3-0, 1-0) -- The Tide have looked to be far from a complete team this year. After the offensive fireworks against Texas A&M, the O-line struggled again. 'Bama averaged a paltry 3.1 yards per rush and allowed two sacks against Colorado State, and the Tide were just 2-of-10 on converting third downs.

3. Texas A&M (3-1, 0-1) -- It's pretty clear that A&M is going to give up a bunch of yards and points in most games this year, but the offense will outscore opponents. That strategy worked for Auburn in 2010, and if the Aggies can avoid another loss, it may work for them, too.

4. Georgia (2-1, 1-0) -- The Dawgs looked pretty sloppy against North Texas at times, but there's a good chance they were looking ahead to next week's showdown against LSU. Georgia outgained the Mean Green, 641-245, but some poor execution on both sides of the ball kept the game from getting out of hand until the fourth quarter.

5. South Carolina (2-1, 1-1) -- If South Carolina looks bad at Central Florida this Saturday, just blame it on the Gamecocks trying to get the game over with so they can watch UGA-LSU and cheer on the Tigers.

6. Ole Miss (3-0, 1-0) -- Not a lot of people thought Ole Miss would be 3-0. Almost no one thought the Rebs would get to 4-0. Win this weekend at Alabama, and Hugh Freeze's team has to be considered as a contender.

7. Florida (2-1, 1-0) -- If Florida's defense weren't so great, the Gators' offense would make reaching a bowl game difficult. As it stands, two or three more losses this year wouldn't be a surprise.

8. Auburn (3-1, 1-1) -- The first 20 minutes against LSU were about as bad as could be, but Malzahn's team never let the Bayou Bengals run away with it. If Nick Marshall and the offense keep improving, the Tigers could pull an upset that really surprises people.

9. Missouri (3-0, 0-0) -- Mizzou's offense is averaging 47 points per game, ranking second in the SEC. However, that's come against Murray State, Toledo and Indiana. The Tigers get one more non-conference game against Arkansas State before the SEC grind begins.

10. Mississippi State (2-2, 0-1) -- After the performances by Dak Prescott against Auburn and Troy, it's hard to see him losing the starting job to Tyler Russell. If State wants to get back to a bowl, Prescott will have to lead the Bulldogs to an upset of either LSU, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Alabama or Ole Miss.

11. Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-2) -- The 'Dores continue to look like a team that has a serious weapon in wide receiver Jordan Matthews, and not much else.

12. Arkansas (3-1, 0-0) -- Arkansas has once again shamed the SEC by losing to Rutgers for a second straight year. The Razorbacks can run, but it's not clear they can do much else.

13. Tennessee (2-2, 0-1) -- Six turnovers against Florida, 220 yards and zero quarterbacks who appear to be competent at the position. Butch Jones might eventually turn the Vols around, but this year is shaping up to be a struggle.

14. Kentucky (1-2, 0-0) -- Things haven't been easy for Kentucky, and they won't get any easier in the next three weeks against Florida, South Carolina and Alabama.

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