The SEC had an up-and-down Week 1 with two of the conference’s top teams picking up nonconference losses on the road.
The Texas Longhorns lost to the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes in a 14-7 defensive brawl. Quarterback Arch Manning still has a ways to go as a starter, but it is not easy playing against Ohio State’s defense on the road.
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In the SEC’s other stunning loss, Alabama lost to Florida State 31-17. Florida State outrushed Alabama by 149 yards in college football’s most surprising result in Week 1.
Outside of Texas and Alabama, the rest of the SEC went undefeated to start the season. The SEC went 4-2 against Power Four opponents including 3-1 against the ACC.
LSU scored a top 10 victory on the road at Clemson and looks like an SEC championship contender. LSU secured the top spot in our power rankings thanks to their massive win. The Georgia Bulldogs were another contender for No. 1, but Georgia only beat Marshall, so we don’t know much about the Dawgs yet.
South Carolina’s defense and special teams played lights out in a win in Atlanta over Virginia Tech. Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar impressed in his debut as Tennessee dominated Syracuse.
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Don’t forget about Auburn, who went on the road on Friday and beat a good Baylor team. Auburn’s team totaled over 300 rushing yards including quarterback Jackson Arnold, who ran for 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
SEC football power rankings after Week 1
LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier against the Clemson Tigers
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Georgia Bulldogs (45-7 win vs. Marshall)
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Texas Longhorns (14-7 loss at Ohio State)
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South Carolina Gamecocks (24-11 win vs. Virginia Tech)
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Tennessee Volunteers (45-26 win vs. Syracuse)
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Ole Miss Rebels (63-7 win vs. Georgia State)
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Alabama Crimson Tide (31-17 loss at Florida State)
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Florida Gators (55-0 win vs. Long Island)
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Oklahoma Sooners (35-3 win vs. Illinois State)
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Auburn Tigers (38-24 win at Baylor)
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Texas A&M Aggies (42-24 win vs. UTSA)
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Vanderbilt Commodores (45-3 win vs. Charleston S.)
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Kentucky Wildcats (24-16 win vs. Toledo)
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: SEC football power rankings after dominating the ACC in Week 1
