The following rankings of the following SEC teams do not rely on ESPN Power Index, PFF grades, or any analytics.
These rankings are my own and how I would rank each team simply on how they played in my own eyes over the course of the 2021 season.
14. Vanderbilt (2-10, 0-8)
The Dores almost went 3-9, but thanks to heroics of Zeb Noland, Vanderbilt remains a laughingstock of the SEC. Vandy at 14 should be no surprise but hey – at least they have baseball.
13. Florida (6-6, 2-6)
From a team who was supposed to compete in the East to a team getting their butts handed to them against SC. Florida last season was not just disappointing, but hysterically funny. 5 stars everywhere but they just flat out could not move the football nor stop anybody.
12. Missouri (6-6, 3-5)
Missouri beat SC, yes, I am aware. BUT, like stated in the header, these rankings are based on eyeballs not analytics. Missouri stunk but their running back was fun to watch.
11. Auburn (6-6, 3-5)
Auburn was so inconsistent last year, and they remind me of SC in many ways. Bo Nix was as consistent as SC starting QB week to week.
10. South Carolina (6-6, 3-5)
Impressive season by Beamer and the boys, but we had the worst Quarterback room in the SEC and could not block anybody. Also, could not run the football. Defense looked good though.
9. Mississippi State (7-5, 4-4)
Mississippi State last year was just ‘okay’. Like, I could not name 5 plays on their team but they’re fun to watch when Leach is calling good plays. I don’t know how I feel about them, but I feel like this ranking fits them best. Mediocrity.
8. LSU (6-6, 3-5)
What happened to LSU? Coach O, who I love by the way, simply could not get that roster playing together even though it is loaded. They will be good next year.
7. Texas A&M (8-4, 4-4)
Texas A&M has one of the most talented group of players in all of college football, but they just never could get it going last year. I was expecting them to make the jump and compete against Bama in the West but that did not happen. They had some big wins like beating Alabama but as an entire collection, 4-4 in SEC just is not good enough.
6. Kentucky (9-3, 5-3)
The wildcats had a good year last year, but they were not the most sufficient team out of the East. Defense was fun to watch but their QB was mediocre and their WRs were not elite.
5. Arkansas (8-4, 4-4)
Like Kentucky, Arkansas was held back by mediocrity at the QB position. Great running team with some weapons outside, but their poor passer rating held them back from making any serious moves in the west. Also, I love their defense which is loaded with young talent.
4. Tennessee (7-5, 4-4)
I hate it and you will too, but Tennessee was one those teams whose record does not determine their talent on the field. Tennessee’s offensive was elite, and their defense was ‘okay’ throughout the season. Hooker and the boys got something rolling in Knoxville.
3. Ole Miss (10-2, 6-2)
I love Matt Corrall and Lane Kiffen so I had to put them at this spot. Elite WRs, RBs, QB play, and coaching led to a terrific season. Ole Miss will be competing with the top schools in the SEC year and year out going forward.
2. Georgia (12-0, 8-0)
Yes, they won the National Championship, but when Alabama was healthy, they were the best team in football. Georgia has an All-Time defense, but I truly was not impressed with their QB play nor their WR position. Georgia was a natty with a bad quarterback, lackluster WR room, and a mediocre coach. I also cannot mentally put Georgia one.
1. Alabama (11-1) (7-1)
Love their weapons, when healthy and their QB room is elite. Great backs, great receivers, great line, so the only thing that derailed this Bama team were injuries. Also, their defense was somehow not taken seriously this year but when I watched them, they were flying around making huge plays.