Updated SEC baseball power rankings after week two action, Texas A&M falls, Vandy rises
This was an exciting week in the SEC, to say the least. We had a few teams make big leaps in our power rankings, and a few dropped a long way.
Vanderbilt represented the conference well, taking the series from #17 UCLA. Texas A&M dropped their series against Portland and were a walk-off hit away from being swept.
Now that we have seen a handful of games from each of these teams, it's starting to become clear who is pretenders and contenders.
Let's take a look at our SEC baseball power rankings after week two of action.
14. Kentucky Wildcats
Record: 5-2
Last Week's Rank: 14
Week One Recap: Kentucky as a team confuses me. I wanted to move them up over Mississippi State, but they still need to play a good team for me to really know what this team has. The pitching staff looked great last weekend but was iffy at times this weekend. However, the bats came to life this weekend as the Wildcats took the series over Wright State. Kentucky plays two more not-great teams this week, so we will have to wait and see if this team could surprise some people or not.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek: Morehead State. Weekend Series: Indiana State
13. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Record: 5-3
Last Week's Rank: 13
Week One Recap: Mississippi State went 3-2 over the week with a bad loss to UL Monroe, but a series win over Arizona State. Everyone is bashing Mississippi State, but the Bulldogs did manage to win a series over a power five opponent, which is why they are at the number 13 spot in my power rankings instead of the 14th. Mississippi State will play four really good baseball teams this week, so it's time for the Bulldogs to put up or shut up.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek: Southern Miss. Weekend Series: (Frisco College Baseball Classic) Ohio State, Oklahoma, California
12. Georgia Bulldogs
Record: 5-2
Last Week's Rank: 12
Week Two Recap: Georgia took three of four from Princeton this weekend. The Bulldogs put up 44 runs, but the pitching staff gave up 24 to a not-great Princeton team. This team can swing it, but the pitching staff will be the question mark this season. Georgia will play Georgia Tech this weekend, which will really show if this Bulldog team is a contender or pretender.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek: Presbyterian. Weekend Series: Georgia Tech
11. Missouri Tigers
Record: 5-2
Last Week's Rank: 11
Week Two Recap: Missouri had a good weekend beating FIU in a four-game series. Missouri lost the first game of the series but then won three straight to win the series. The Missouri team surprised in week one and took care of business in week two, defeating a quality mid-major team. They aren't great, but Missouri is a team that could take a series from any SEC team if they are overlooked.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek: Lindenwood. Weekend Series: Texas Southern
10. Auburn Tigers
Record: 5-1-1
Last Week's Rank: 10
Week Two Recap: Auburn had a good week blowing out North Alabama and winning the series over USC. Auburn was 3-0-1 over the week as the final game of the series against USC ended in a tie since the Trojans had to travel back to California. This is back-to-back series wins over a power five opponent for Auburn, who is making a strong case to be ranked going forward. The offense is undeniable for the Tigers, this season will come down to the pitching staff. It was impressive for Auburn to win the Saturday game over USC without their ace Joseph Gonzalez who couldn't go due to shoulder pain.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek: Florida A&M. Weekend Series: Lipscomb
9. Texas A&M Aggies (15)
Record: 4-3
Last Week's Rank: 4
Week Two Recap: Texas A&M was the disappointment of the SEC this week as they lost their series against Portland and their midweek game to Lamar. Now in the Aggies' defense, these are two excellent mid-major teams but going 1-3 over the week can't happen against non-power five teams. The Aggies will have a chance to redeem themselves this weekend as they take on two ranked opponents.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek: Houston Christian. Weekend Series: (Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic) #14 Louisville, Rice, #24 Texas Tech
8. South Carolina Gamecocks (23)
Record: 8-0
Last Week's Rank: 9
Week Two Recap: South Carolina went 5-0 over the week. They put up a lot of runs in their midweek games, but their weekend series with Penn was close the whole time. South Carolina looks like a really well-balanced team that can put up an avalanche of runs. We will get a better feel for this Gamecock team as they take on Clemson this weekend in a three-game set.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek: NC A&T. Weekend Series: Clemson
7. Alabama Crimson Tide (20)
Record: 8-0
Last Week's Rank: 8
Week Two Recap: Alabama went 5-0 on the week and put up 40 runs. The Crimson Tide pitching staff did well, holding opponents to only 16 runs for an average of 3.2 runs per game allowed. Alabama is a good baseball team, but they haven't played anyone relevant yet to know just how good they are. Now in baseball, it's easy to drop a game to a lesser opponent, so it's impressive that Alabama has not done that yet. We will have to wait another few weeks to find out how good this team is since they play two inferior opponents this week.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek: Jacksonville State. Weekend Series: University Illinois Chicago
6. Arkansas Razorbacks (8)
Record: 5-2
Last Week's Rank: 6
Week Two Recap: Arkansas had an interesting week as they won a close game over Grambling State for their midweek game, then won the series over Eastern Illinois but lost the series finale. These are teams that an SEC baseball team should blow out, so dropping a game to Eastern Illinois and beating Grambling State when they outhit you 13-9 are not numbers you like to see. But I expect this Razorback team to be just fine.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek: Illinois State. Weekend Series: Wright State
5. Florida Gators (6)
Record: 7-1
Last Week's Rank: 5
Week Two Recap: Florida split the midweek series with USF, then swept Cincinnati over the weekend. This Gator team is good swinging it and pitching it, which is a must in SEC baseball. They scored 13 runs in all three games over the weekend against Cincinnati. If you can consistently put up double-digit runs, you will win a lot of baseball games, and Florida has proven they can.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek Tue @Jacksonville, Wed Jacksonville. Weekend Series: Miami
4. Vanderbilt Commodores (7)
Record: 5-3
Last Week's Rank: 7
Week Two Recap: Vanderbilt went 3-2 over the week with a bad loss to Central Arkansas but then a huge series win over #17 UCLA. The series with UCLA was a pitcher's duel all weekend, and the Vandy arms answered the call. Per usual, Vanderbilt will be one of the best teams in the country this season, and they showed why with this big series win.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek: Tue Austin Peay. Weekend Series: (Cambria College Classic) Nebraska, #18 Maryland, Minnesota
3. Ole Miss Rebels (4)
Record: 6-1
Last Week's Rank: 3
Week Two Recap: Ole Miss had a great week beating Arkansas State in their midweek game, then winning the series 2-1 over at the time #13 in the country Maryland. The Ole Miss offense scored double digits in three of their four games this week. The pitching staff gave up some runs but was good enough to get the job done. The Rebels will have another big test this week against some quality opponents.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek: Tue/Wed Louisiana Tech. Weekend Series: (Cambria College Classic) #18 Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska
2. Tennessee Volunteers (3)
Record: 6-2
Last Week's Rank: 2
Week Two Recap: It was a big comeback weekend for the Vols, who were without their coach during a recruiting investigation. Tennessee went 5-0 on the week sweeping a midweek two-game set with Alabama A&M, then sweeping the Dayton Flyers over the weekend. Tennessee pitchers only allowed four runs in these five games. That is scary impressive. The offense scored double digits in three of these five games. This Tennessee team is outstanding, and they showed why this week.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek: Tue/Wed Charleston Southern. Weekend Series: Gonzaga
1. LSU Tigers (1)
Record: 6-1
Last Week's Rank: 1
Week Two Recap: LSU went 3-1 on the week with wins over Southern, Sam Houston, and Kansas State. The Tigers lost to Iowa for their first loss of the season. Besides the Iowa game, LSU had a great weekend, scoring at will, pitching, and playing defense well. They are still the top dog in the SEC.
Week Three Opponents: Midweek: @Texas. Weekend Series: Butler, Central Connecticut State University x2
The only significant movements in our power rankings this week were Texas A&M taking a big fall and Vandy moving up a few spots.
This week will be a good one in SEC Baseball, so expect a lot of movement in these rankings.
If you want to check out last week's power rankings, click here.
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