That said, below are my new ratings, with each team graded on the usual 1-10 scale:
1. Florida (9.0): The Gators (2-0) enjoyed an open date before facing Tennessee this Saturday in Knoxville.
2. Georgia (8.0): The not-so-dominant Dawgs (3-0 overall, 1-0 SEC) had to stop two late South Carolina drives – one with a fumble recovery in the end zone and the other with an interception in the final seconds – to subdue the Gamecocks 14-7.
3. LSU (8.0): The Tigers (2-0) hammered hapless North Texas 41-3 as Charles Scott scored on runs of 39 and 43 yards. Trindon Holliday chipped in a 92-yard punt return for a TD. QBs Andrew Hatch (10 of 17, 145 yards) and Jarrett Lee (10 of 18, 84 yards) were adequate.
4. Alabama (7.5): One week after managing a paltry 172 yards of total offense vs. Tulane, the Tide (3-0) riddled Western Kentucky for 557 yards (Bama's most since 1989) in a 41-7 romp. Nick Saban's crew, which led 31-7 at the half, limited the Hilltoppers to 158 net yards.
5. Auburn (6.5): New offensive coordinator Tony Franklin's version of The Spread continues to sputter and wheeze. Auburn converted just 3 of 16 third-down tries and managed just one Wes Byrum field goal in a 3-2 defeat of Mississippi State. QB Chris Todd (14 of 26, 154 yards) played OK.
6. Tennessee (6.0): The Vols (1-1) picked off three passes and limited UAB to 275 net yards in a 35-3 defeat of the Blazers. Tennessee's offense continues to struggle, however, scoring just 14 first-half points against a defense ranked dead last among the NCAA's 119 Div. 1-A programs.
7. Vanderbilt (6.0): The Commodores moved to 3-0 for only the third time since 1984 by trouncing Rice 38-21. Vandy mustered just 71 passing yards and was outgained 407-344 in total yards but outscored the Owls 17-0 in the second half to win going away.
8. Ole Miss (6.0): Down 7-6 late in the first half, the Rebels (2-1) rallied furiously to dump Samford 34-10. Quarterback Jevan Snead completed 13 of 24 passes for 222 yards as Ole Miss outgained the visitors 424 to 198.
9. South Carolina (5.5): The Gamecocks (1-2 overall, 0-2 SEC) gave Georgia a scare before succumbing 14-7 on their home field in Columbia. Head coach Steve Spurrier 1-7 in his last eight games, saw Mike Davis squander a TD by fumbling into the end zone and saw Chris Smelley seal the Cocks' doom by throwing a late interception.
10. Kentucky (5.5): Mike Hartline completed 28 of 47 passes for 254 yards but the Big Blue (3-0) had to survive a game-ending 61-yard Hail Mary pass that fell one yard short of the goal line to nip Middle Tennessee 20-14. Wildcat kicker Lones Seiber missed three field goals and had another blocked.
11. Mississippi State (4.5): The Bulldogs (1-2) continued their offensive futility, managing just 116 total yards in a 3-2 home-field loss to Auburn. MSU's only points came on a safety when a Tiger offensive lineman was flagged for holding in the end zone.
12. Arkansas (3.0): The Razorbacks (2-0) were supposed to play at Texas but Hurricane Ike forced postponement of the game.