Week 2 SEC conference power rankings
Week 1 Result: 34-27 OT win vs. Virginia Tech. . 1-0 (0-0 SEC). Vandy. . . 15. 537. .
Last week: 16 (+1)
The Vanderbilt Commodores claimed its biggest win of the Clark Lea era over the weekend, with a clutch seven-point overtime victory at home on Saturday over the Virginia Tech Hokies. New Mexico State transfer dual-threat quarterback Diego Pavia proved to be a real difference-maker for Vanderbilt's offense, tallying up nearly 200 passing yards and over 100 rushing yards to go along with three touchdowns and the game-winner against Virginia Tech.
Vanderbilt has a shot to start out the regular season with a 3-0 record for the first time in over a half-decade (since 2017) with its next two games coming up against FCS Alcorn State and a G5 foe in Georgia State.
. 0-1 (0-0 SEC). . . . Week 1 Result: 41-17 loss vs. Miami. 14. 526. Florida.
Last week: 12 (-2)
Florida and head coach Billy Napier had a terrible showing in Week 1, getting dominated at home by double digits against what looked to be a much superior Miami Hurricanes squad that ranked No. 19 in the nation in the AP Poll coming in. Napier is coming under all sorts of heat as the Gators have lost six straight dating back to the second half of last season.
The Gator head coach was already on the hottest seat of any bench boss in the SEC coming into this season. At this point, it looks like Napier needs something a little short of a miracle to keep his job safe entering the rest of this season.
. . . . 13. 524. Arkansas. . 1-0 (0-0 SEC). Week 1 Result: 70-0 win vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Last week: 15 (+2)
On paper, the Arkansas Razorbacks looked spotless on both sides of the ball with a 70-0 dismantling of FCS Arkansas-Pine Bluff at home in Fayetteville in Week 1. Newly-hired offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino had Arkansas' offense looking like a well-oiled machine, tallying up well over 600 total yards and 70 points against a helpless and overpowered UAPB defense on Thursday.
Arkansas' biggest non-conference game of the regular season by far is coming up in Week 2, in a pivotal matchup on the road in Stillwater against the No. 17 Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Mississippi State. . . . 530. 1-0 (0-0 SEC). . Week 1 Result: 56-7 win vs. Eastern Kentucky. 12.
Last week: 14 (+2)
First-year head coach Jeff Lebby got off to a clean start in his first game leading the Mississippi State Bulldogs at home in Week 1 in a 49-point win over FCS Eastern Kentucky. Blake Shapen played well, completing over 75 percent of his passes for 247 yards and four total touchdowns.
Mississippi State has a more difficult game on tap in Week 2 where it travels to Tempe, AZ, to face a pretty underrated Arizona State Sun Devils squad on the road next Saturday night under the lights in a 10:30 p.m. CT kickoff start time.