Week Nine

After years and years of losing Mississippi State is 7-2. 7-2. It's hard to grasp that State has turned it around. I'll give 10% of the credit to Croom for changing the personnel of the team, and 10% to Greg Bryne for getting the athletic department out of the stone age, but 80% goes to the great job Dan Mullen has done. He has really changed the culture at State, and he's got the players and fans believing that we can be great.

One thing this weekend tought us is who is for real and who was just a pretender. Picking Missouri and Michigan State to lose may have been the easiest picks against undefeated teams this late in the season ever. I was 5-1 in the SEC this week and 4-2 nationally. I'm 55-13 this year on my SEC picks and 32-22 on the national ones. Here are my power rankings:

1. Auburn, 9-0 (6-0) - The keep passing ever test thrown their way. Now they've got a cupcake for homecoming and a chance to rest Newton's body before the UGA game.

2. Alabama, 7-1 (4-1) - They stay pat in the bye week. Big game next week at LSU.

3. LSU, 7-1 (4-1) - Next week vs. Alabama could be a chance to get to a BCS bowl, big time game.

4. Mississippi State, 7-2 (3-2) - What a great season for State. They've taken care of business each week and also beaten some teams they weren't supposed to. Bye week next.

5. South Carolina, 6-2 (4-2) - They've been able to avoid falling off the mountain after that Kentucky loss. Now we'll see if they can take the next step by winning at huge game vs. Arkansas next week.

6. Arkansas, 6-2 (3-2) - The Hogs make 6 bowl-eligible teams in the SEC including 5 in the West. Big November for them.

7. Florida, 5-3 (3-3) - I still don't know where this team is but they've somehow managed to put themselves in position to be in contention for the East going into November.

8. Georgia, 4-5 (3-4) - This may be the weakest #8 SEC team in years. They just can't beat Florida...I would feel bad for Georgia fans, but I don't.

9. Kentucky, 4-5 (1-5) - That SEC is horrible, but still their schedule really lightens up in November and they've got a legit shot at 7 wins.

10. Ole Miss, 3-5 (1-4) - Not much is going right in Oxford. I wouldn't be surprised if they struggle with U-LALA.

11. Tennessee, 2-6 (0-5) - The hard part is over, now it's time for the Vols annual November sprint up the win column. I'm not sure they can will ALL 4 games, but it's got to start next week at Memphis.

12. Vanderbilt, 2-6 (1-4) - I guess you could say Vandy has lived up to expectations.

My Top 5:

1. Auburn, 9-0
2. Oregon, 8-0
3. Boise State, 7-0
4. TCU, 9-0
5. Alabama, 7-1

I moved Oregon up to #2 because they proved they can beat a good team on the road. Them and Auburn stood out as teams that proved they are legit teams by stepping up and winning the 'roadblock' games with weekend.

JB