ESPN SEC Power Rankings Week Eight

September 22, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback James Franklin (1) is pressured by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-US PRESSWIRE

When I started doing these weekly posts covering Edward Aschoff’s Weekly SEC power rankings, I never expected Missouri to eclipse the top four or so. Missouri started the season around the tenth spot in the rankings, and slowly climbed up as Missouri kept winning and SEC teams kept losing to each other. Missouri was seventh two weeks ago, and everyone still had their doubts, including myself, about just how good this Missouri team was.

But now everyone is a believer of this team’s offensive firepower and defensive talent, including Mr. Aschoff, who ranked them second in this weeks SEC power ranks. Second! Ahead of Johnny Football, ahead of the reigning SEC East Champs, ahead of both of the SEC’s other Tiger teams, ahead of Jadeveon Clowney. Part of the high ranking is that the SEC is just beating up on itself, and there is still a huge gap perception and talent wise between Alabama at one and Missouri at two, but still. Missouri is the second best team in SEC according to Aschoff.

Missouri is 7-0 now, and looks to move to 8-0 with against ranked opponent South Carolina on Saturday. A win against the Gamecocks sets Mizzou up not just as an SEC contender but a national title contender. Yeah, I said it. I like the way that sounds. This is just one year removed from a 5-7 record too. Everyone loves Maty Mauk and the offense, and one more win against a ranked opponent solidifies Missouri’s spot in the top five, makes a case for jumping into the fourth spot in the AP poll, and gives a the Tigers a stronghold on the SEC East’s top position.

As always, you can go here to see the blurbs for all the SEC teams.

1. Alabama (7-0, 4-0 SEC; last week: 1)
2. Missouri (7-0, 3-0 SEC; LW: 4): So this is what Missouri’s offense is supposed to look like when guys are healthy. Well, even with James Franklin out and Maty Mauk running things, the offense is pretty deadly. The Tigers are the surprise of the conference and crushed Florida 36-17 over the weekend with 500 yards of offense and a smothering defense that allowed just 151 yards. A win over South Carolina this weekend would essentially clinch the SEC Eastern Division for the Tigers.
3. Auburn (6-1, 3-1 SEC; LW: 8)
4. Texas A&M (5-2, 2-2 SEC; LW: 2)
5. LSU (6-2, 3-2 SEC; LW: 3)
6. South Carolina (5-2, 3-2 SEC; LW: 6)
7. Georgia (4-3, 3-2 SEC; LW: 5
8. Ole Miss (4-3, 2-3 SEC; LW: 9)
9. Florida (4-3, 3-2 SEC; LW: 7)
10. Tennessee (4-3, 1-2 SEC; LW: 11)
11. Vanderbilt (4-3, 1-3 SEC; LW: 10)
12. Mississippi State (3-3, 0-2 SEC; LW: 12)
13. Arkansas (3-5, 0-4 SEC; LW: 13)
14. Kentucky (1-5, 0-3 SEC; LW: 14)