Week Three

Week Three was disappointing for me. The Ole Miss loss to Vanderbilt was nice, but that State loss to LSU was a tough pill to swallow....not because we lost, just because of the way it happened, the turnovers and lack of offensive execution. Hopefully the Dawgs can turn it around next week when they come home to face Georgia.

Other than my disappointment, one of the things I will remember of this week, and it may become a recurring trend, but I must have seen 15 helmets pop off throughout the Saturday slate of games. Something needs to be done about that, it hasn't been this bad in past years. I think it must have something to do with the new helmet designs, maybe it is sweat on bald heads or the padding inside the helmets. I don't know what it is but if it's not corrected someone is going to get seriously hurt. I know the play is dead when the helmet comes off but still a defensive player who's crashing in may not see it come off before he lands what could be a fatal blow.

There weren't any major upsets this weekend. You could call Arizona beating Iowa an upset but they were at home. Arizona could be a team on the rise, they look good. Clemson looks like the best team in the ACC, they came to play SEC football against Auburn and barely lost. Nebraska has a great defense, and after Saturday's performance they have a great offense too...they look like a huge force this year. Oregon also looks really great, like Masoli was a detriment to their offense last year...they've outscored their opponents 190-13 in the first 3 games. I was impressed with the PAC 10 playing tough non-conference games this week (other than Oregon). They played 3 Big 10 schools - 2 on the road, an ACC team, Big 12, a good WAC team, and two good C-USA teams. I didn't do so hot with my picks this week, 5-3 in the SEC and 3-3 nationally. So for the year I'm 24-5 in the SEC and 11-7 nationally. Week 3 SEC Power Rankings:

1. Alabama, 3-0 (0-0) - I don't think there should be any doubt in anyone's mind they are a solid #1 in the SEC and the country. They are dominate, maybe more dominate than people expected...but their first REAL test comes this coming week.

2. Arkansas, 3-0 (1-0) - Ryan Mallett and the Hogs took the next step this week beating Georgia. I wasn't sure they could do it but when it came to the end of the game they made a play and got the win. This is what they couldn't do last year and they are legit in my book. Huge, absolutely HUGE game this week hosting Bama.

3. Florida, 3-0 (1-0) - It's been 3 weeks and still no rhythm and flow from their offense. I have no reason to believe that will change anytime soon and it's getting a little late in the game with the SEC schedule having started. They got the win at Tennessee but they are very shaking at this position.

4. Auburn, 3-0 (1-0) - I still believe Auburn is the real deal even though they let an ACC team take them to overtime at home. Clemson looked good, and Auburn is fortunate to come away with a win. There was a lot of hard-hitting in that game and it will be interesting to see how that effects them in a big game vs. South Carolina next.

5. South Carolina, 3-0 (1-0) - I could easily make a case that the Gamecocks deserve to be at #2 or 3 on this list right now, but I'm going to wait for them to prove it on the road. That test comes this coming week at Auburn.

6. LSU, 3-0 (2-0) - The Tigers finally put together a mistake-free game vs. Mississippi State. Their offense didn't look much better but they got the win taking advantage of turnovers and great special teams. They still leave a lot to be desired, and they will need to improve for win in the meat of their SEC schedule.

7. Kentucky, 3-0 (0-0) - As promised I moved Kentucky up with their win. They look solid on offense this year with dynamic play-makers all over the place. They haven't been tested yet but next week's trip to Florida will do that. They are a scary team to play right now.

8. Georgia, 1-2 (0-2) - UGA is a victim to a tough early SEC schedule with a young team. I was impressed by their ability to pull it together in the 4th quarter vs. Arkansas and tie it before losing in the final minute. They have a lot of talent but they aren't making as many plays as they usually do. I think their youth has a lot to do with it, which make the game next week at Mississippi State very interesting.

9. Mississippi State, 1-2 (0-2) - Unfortunately I've had to drop State the last two weeks because of loses, but I still think they are a good team. They have a lot of talent but just aren't executing. Like I said this Georgia at Miss. State game is intriguing because it's two teams in the same boat with the same record facing one another.

10. Tennessee, 1-2 (0-1) - They hung with Florida and made a couple big plays but that may have more to do with the Gators struggles than Tennessee playing well. I think they have some ability and they need to get a win against UAB next week.

11. Vanderbilt, 1-2 (1-1) - Well Vandy got the job done at Ole Miss and has already proven my prediction of going 0-8 wrong. I really like the job Robbie Caldwell is doing with that team, they are playing hard and not making the huge mistake which is what Vandy has to do.

12. Ole Miss, 1-2 (0-1) - I said they had to play their way out of the cellar and they couldn't do it at home against Vandy. There must have been 10,000 empty seats in Oxford on Saturday, a poor sign for this team. It's amazing they have fallen from #4 in the nation to last in the SEC and a poor football team in just one year's time.

So every team in the SEC is either 3-0 or 1-2. We'll see how it shakes out from here, and things are going to get revved up a few notched next week with several big games. There has been a lot of talk about how Virginia Tech losing to James Madison hurts Boise State, and there has been a rather large backlash against Boise. So I wanted to defend my placing them at #2 in the nation. I think they should be ranked #2 because last season they ended the season rated as the #2 team. They were undefeated last year and won a BCS bowl game. That normally wouldn't be enough but since they return 21 of 22 starters I think they've got quite a solid nucleus and since they went on the road this year and beat a team that is 'bigger and stronger' than they are, and the game had huge hype so Va Tech was prepared, they still get my #2. If they struggle with a WAC team for just a little bit then they will probably fall, but not until then. Here's my Top 5, same as last week.

1. Alabama, 3-0
2. Boise State, 2-0
3. Nebraska, 3-0
4. TCU, 3-0
5. Ohio State, 3-0

Last week I said the Braves needed to go 12-6 the rest of the way out to get to the postseason and after sweeping the Mets this weekend they are on pace to do that, having gone 4-2. Nate McClouth has been a surprise in September hitting .350, since he was horrible all year long and spent a month in the minors I'm surprised he got a chance this late in the year. But that shows you why Bobby Cox is a great manager, he never gives up on a player and so Nate has a chance to be a big contributor down the stretch.

The Kansas City Chiefs are 2-0. The Cowboys and the Vikings are 0-2. Pittsburgh is using their 3rd string QB, and he just got hurt and their 2-0. It just goes to show you that in football you just never know, even in the NFL. From year to year you don't know what is going to happen. I'm glad the Falcons took care of business this week vs. the Cardinals with a blowout win, 41-7.

JB