Does Georgia look like Georgia? Check. Does Vanderbilt look like Vanderbilt? Hold everything. Week 1 is in the books, and SEC football brought us much of what was expected, but a little of the unexpected, too. Break up the Commodores! And while you're at it, break out the Kool-Aid, because most fans will be drinking plenty of it after watching blowout wins over hapless opponents. Speaking of which, break out your checkbooks, ADs. Easy 1-0 starts aren't free. Onto the rankings:
Last week: 1
This week: vs. Tennessee Tech
What to know:The Bulldogs routed Clemson on a neutral field without their best running back. They're the bullies on the block until further notice.
Last week: 2
This week: at Michigan
What to know:The Wolverines could've had an army of Connor Stalions cheats in Austin − it wouldn't help them this Saturday.
Last week: 3
This week: vs. South Florida
What to know:Western Kentucky's sideline headsets weren't working in Tuscaloosa. In a 63-0 loss, nothing else was, either .
GOODBREAD: Who deserved a honeymoon extension more than Kalen DeBoer?
Last week: 4
This week: vs. Middle Tennessee
What to know:The Rebels beat Furman 76-0 , but the greater insult is they still don't know what a Paladin is.
Last week: 5
This week: at N.C. State
What to know:Let the Nico Iamaleava hype begin
continue.
Last week: 6
This week: vs. Buffalo
What to know:You can't 'Show Me' anything against Murray State . Or Buffalo.
Last week: 8
This week: vs. Houston
What to know:The Sooners forced six turnovers against Temple and forced the Owls to say "Uncle" even more.
Last week: 7
This week: vs. Nicholls
What to know:Brian Kelly and openers don't mix. The Tigers haven't won one since 2019 −.that's five straight, and three under BK.
Last week: 11
This week: vs. South Carolina
What to know:UK's 31-0 win over Southern Miss ended with 9:56 left in the third quarter due to the game's second lightning delay. The Golden Eagles should keep that lightning handy.
Last week: 10
This week: vs. McNeese
What to know: Aggies QB Conner Weigman in a loss to Notre Dame: 12 of 30, 100 yards, two picks. Last one off the Weigman hype train, turn off the lights.
Last week: 9
This week: vs. Samford
What to know:After Miami exposed the Gators , this week's big number won't be how many points UF hangs on Samford. It'll be how many empty seats there are at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Last week: 12
This week: vs. Cal
What to know:You wouldn't think Auburn would have to write a check for a home game against Cal, but can we be sure California won't try to tax them on it?
Last week: 16
This week: vs. Alcorn State
What to know:SEC football is more fun when the Commodores are slightly dangerous . And given a win over Virginia Tech, they just might be.
Last week: 14
This week: at Oklahoma State
What to know: The Hogs , Thursday winners over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, get a couple extra days to prep for the Pokes. And they'll need 'em.
Last week: 15
This week: at Arizona State
What to know:A win over ASU could move the Bulldogs up. Beating Eastern Kentucky? Not so much.
Last week: 13
This week: at Kentucky
What to know:You'd think adding a transfer running back nicknamed "Rocket" would jump-start an offense . Then again, we're talking about South Carolina's offense.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: SEC power poll: Time to rank Vanderbilt over Florida?
