SEC Power Rankings Week 3

It's Black Friday and if you're reading this, I hope it's because you're not bloodied and bruised because you had to fight someone for a severely discounted TV you could have bought on line. But bloodied and bruised is a good way to describe some of the SEC, the other some are just taking care of their business, doing what they do, winning random tournaments. 
This week our voters were kind of all over the place, and outside of the teams they think are really good and the teams they think are really bad, we've got a bunch of fun in the middle, kind of like an oreo cookie. 
But enough about food, let's head to the Tiers.

Tier 1

It's the main course of our Thanksgiving left over meal, and these are the big pieces of turkey, that sweet flavored filled dark meat, and the stuffing that was jammed inside the bird.

Kentucky is sitting atop of our rankings, as they have forever and will continue to do so it seems. Since beating Duke a week ago, Kentucky has just taken care of business putting a whooping on the teams you're supposed to.
Remaining in second despite a loss to the buckle shoe wearing Jayhawks of Kansas we have Vandy, though they did not look bad in their game and were in it down to the end of the game. Either way, they got to Maui for the holiday and really, they're the true winners, sun and fun.

Making a jump is undefeated Texas A&M who all they did this week was beat up on their old rival (not their rival according to them) Texas and then followed that up by beating top 10 Gonzaga in the semi finals of the Battle for Atlantis tournament. If you've got nothing really going on today, check out their championship game against Syracuse today at 3:00 PM Eastern.

Finally, still sitting in Tier 1 (though perhaps they should not be) is two loss LSU, having dropped their last two games to Marquette and NC State. Two games that LSU needed to bolster their resume come March, if Ben Simmons manages to get them there despite his coach, Johnny Jones and The Johnny Jones Effect!

Tier 2

Tier 2 has shrunk yet again, initially sitting on three, then dropping down to two and now we're living with just one.
The wheat has clearly been separated from the chaff. The Gators sit in Tier 2 after having taken a loss to Purdue, a top 25 team for sure, but were never really in the game from tip to finish. But our voters are still fully on board with the Gators, though a top 10 match up with Miami looms...

Tier 3

With the shrinking of Tier 2, Tier 3 has boomed all the way out to five teams. All these teams are playing well but have an understandable loss , a less understandable loss, or are undefeated and our voters aren't buying their stock just yet.

Sitting atop Tier 3 is Georgia who have only played three games on the season to date. Which means that for a team that can be described as fragile, back loading the schedule could come back to bit the Dawgs. Also, if you're going to be good, you need to beat High Point by more than three...

Coming in the juicy middle of the power poll are the undefeated Gamecocks of South Carolina. Our voters seem to be hesitant to grab onto the 'Cocks after last year's similar start and then blowing up once the SEC season started. For all the Mizzou fans that irrationally hate Frank Haith, the Cocks took care of a good Tulsa to win the Paradise Jam.

Nipping at the heals of South Carolina is Ole Miss, the Rebels who sit on two bad losses to two East Coast teams. Andy Kennedy's Rebels lost last week to George Mason, and now they've lost to a bad, bad Seton Hall team, a Hall team that lost to Long Beach State...and this isn't your fathers LBC.

At the bottom of Tier 3 (where at least you're not Tier 4) we've got Auburn and Tennessee who sit separated by a single point. Both teams have tough losses to middle Power 5 teams, but again, remember, you're not Tier 4, so it could always be worse!

Tier 4

Tier 4 where the dregs of our power poll reside.  And aside from Arkansas, three of these four teams should be used to being here, and like last year are playing like it was 2014-2015.

Arkansas has lost to a bad Georgia Tech team, and while Bama has lost to a good Xavier team, and made it a game for one half of the game still looked like the team that many of our voters believe them to be.

Mississippi State has a win over Missouri State, but losses to everyone else they've played from a Power 5 conference team that you've heard of. Get better Malik Newman and things will get better for the Bulldogs.

Finally, at the bottom are the Tigers of Mizzou who keep losing to power 5 teams, doing so in more and more frustrating ways. Our voters have seen this song and dance before, so welcome back to 14 Mizzou, it should feel like a soothing warm blanket of terribleness.

To the Rankings!

Team	Points	Ranking	Ranking Last Week	Change	Highest Rank	Lowest Rank
Kentucky	112	1st	1st	No Change	1st	1st
Vanderbilt	97	2nd	2nd	No Change	2nd	4th
Texas A&M	94	3rd	4th	Up 1	2nd	8th
LSU	87	4th	3rd	Down 1	2nd	7th
Florida	79	5th	5th	No Change	4th	6th
Georgia	57	6th	10th	Up 4	5th	11th
South Carolina	51	7th	6th	Down 1	4th	9th
Ole Miss	50	8th	9th	Up 1	6th	12th
Tennessee	47	9th	12th	Up 3	6th	12th
Auburn	46	10th	8th	Down 2	7th	12th
Arkansas	38	11th	9th	Down 2	7th	12th
Mississippi State	25	12th	11th	Down 1	7th	14th
Alabama	22	13th	14th	Up 1	8th	14th
Mizzou	13	14th	12th	Down 2	13th	14th

Points were distributed 1st = 14, 2nd = 13, 3rd = 12, 4th = 11, 5th = 10, 6th = 9, 7th = 8, 8th = 7, 9th = 6, 10th = 5, 11th = 4, 12th = 3, 13th = 2, and 14th = 1

The Tide haven't been able to score against the only decent opponents they've faced. They averaged 46.5 points in embarrassing losses to Dayton and Xavier. (And the Valley Shook)

Well, at least we know that they're capable of beating UL-Lafayette when they shoot 60 percent from three, so if they can keep shooting 60 percent from three... wait, that sentence is ridiculous. (Anchor of Gold)

This is the only Advocare event Bama fans have been a part of, and they didn’t even have to go to Texas for it…charmed damn life Bama…(Rock M Nation)

They lost to Akron at home. But then again, I'm stubborn and thought they'd be one of the better teams in conference. So we'll split the difference and put them 7th. (Dawg Sports)

Georgia Tech's second SEC victim of the year. Just like last year, the SEC is losing to bottom tier ACC opponents. You can't build the reputation of the conference when they consistently lose to inferior opponents of another Power 5 league. (For Whom the Cowbell Tolls)

For a Mike Anderson team, they're disturbingly mediocre at forcing turnovers. Do they have something else they can fall back on? (Anchor of Gold)

Much like South Carolina, we don't yet know much about the Tigers, and we may not learn much more until Christmas-time. A weak non-conference schedule leaves Auburn with little margin for error, given the early home loss to Colorado. (And the Valley Shook)

I like trucks. (Dawg Sports)

Cinmeon Bowers had a double double and is the relative at your Thanksgiving that refuses to pass anything when someone asks. (Rock M Nation)

No shame in a loss to Purdue. The Gators are talent and experience laden enough to make an NCAA Tournament push. (And the Valley Shook)

There will be no rhyme or reason for 6 through 10, because outside of the top 2 and the bottom 2, this conference is a mess. (Dawg Sports)

Purdue may be really good, so hanging tough with them for 30 minutes is an accomplishment. But "hanging tough with good teams before folding late" was their thing last year, too. (Anchor of Gold)

Georgia is two weak wins better than last week but it takes more than that to wipe the stink of that Chattanooga loss off. (College and Magnolia)

This team will rely heavily on Kenny Gaines. If he's All-SEC, they can keep a bubble alive. If he's not, they can get Mark Fox fired. (Dawg Sports)

I’m not sure if it’s better to beat High Point by 3 or to lose to them…either way, it’s like ordering an Appletini in a bar right when the music cuts out. (Rock M Nation)

Still duh (And the Valley Shook)

Kentucky is still the team to beat but Texas A&M is rising and now looks like a legitimate threat to win the SEC. (A Sea of Blue)

Kentucky, your unimpressive performances against teams not named Duke are making my weekly job of picking you #1 too difficult. Please stop. (Anchor of Gold)

Losses to Marquette and NC State? This is the team that supposedly could challenge Kentucky? (For Whom the Cowbell Tolls)

Almost here by default a bit, but don't get caught up in the 2 losses. They essentially lost by 1 in regulation starting 3 freshmen. This team will improve dramatically once Keith Hornsby (injury) and Craig Victor (eligibility) are ready to play. (And the Valley Shook)

If you told me Johnny Jones got locked out of his office on a weekly basis, I would be surprised it’s not more. (Rock M Nation)

Malik Newman is the early leader for the annual "Hyped Freshman Who Plays His Way Out of the Lottery" award. (Anchor of Gold)

Nice break after a terrible showing in Puerto Rico. Next week features a couple of games the Bulldogs SHOULD win before they head to Tallahassee. (For Whom the Cowbell Tolls)

The Ben Howland era is off to an inauspicious start, and it may be tough sledding getting this team into the win column regularly this season. (And the Valley Shook)

Things have went downhill fast for the Tigers. (For Whom the Cowbell Tolls)

That better not be the Dark Winter coming back…I can’t take that again! (Rock M Nation)

3 losses, but unlike Mississippi St, the losses are to respectable opposition. (Dawg Sports)

The Rebels have dropped a couple tough road games early on but they seem to always be a factor of late once the league slate arrives. Underestimate them at your peril. (And the Valley Shook)

Unfortunately I do not have time for this its chaos at my house for holidays. (Red Cup Rebellion)

They might be better than this once Andy Kennedy figures out his rotation. Just hope they don't play their way out of the tournament before that happens. (Anchor of Gold)

The Gamecocks keep chugging along and could realistically be undefeated heading into their rivalry matchup against Clemson. Still have a lot to prove but this team has the chops to play with anyone in the SEC. (For Whom the Cowbell Tolls)

South Carolina is playing a line of bums, but on the plus side, they are beating the bums. (College and Magnolia)

Frank Martin will always own Frank Haith, ALWAYS. (Rock M Nation)

Not good but not terrible either. Game against Butler should tell us a lot about the Vols. (For Whom the Cowbell Tolls)

The Volunteers have taken care of business mostly, but it's been against some uninspiring foes. At least they look better than Alabama? (And the Valley Shook)

Orange is a really ugly color. (Dawg Sports)

Tyler Davis looks more impressive so far than any of John Calipari's one-and-dones. This just seems weird. (Anchor of Gold)

Took down Gonzaga in a win that will look very nice come March. Chance to take down Syracuse and capture an early season tournament. That would be the start the Aggies are looking for. (For Whom the Cowbell Tolls)

Just keep these kids away from Johnny Football and an open flame. (Rock M Nation)

They are very good. (Dawg Sports)

Vandy, your impressive performances in Maui are making my weekly job of picking Kentucky #1 too difficult. Please... oh, God, please don't stop. (Anchor of Gold)

A lot to like about the showing in Maui, and they gave Kansas a game before falling late. Hard not to think this team is rock solid. (And the Valley Shook)

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And that will lock up week 3! Hope you enjoyed your holiday if you got down to that, now go and watch some basketball, there are a ton of SEC games today...and you know something weird is gonna happen.