LSU New AP Number One
With league play underway, some teams have lost their rankings, but two teams have clearly risen to the top. LSU and Alabama are the cream of the SEC crop. Here’s a breakdown of the rankings of teams in the SEC. I’ll even welcome Texas A&M to the party. Something to keep in mind: The AP Poll does not figure into the BCS equation. The USA Today/Coaches Poll is the major factor:
I don’t know what the coaches are smoking, but LSU just went through the toughest September I’ve seen from a major conference school. SEC and BCS qualifying schools usually fill up on cupcakes. LSU didn’t and they passed with flying colors. In my opinion, the Tigers should be number one based on their strength of schedule and overall dominance of some pretty darn good teams.
SEC Players of the Week
Offensive – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama. Richardson rushed for a game-high 126 yards on 17 carries (7.4 avg) in Alabama’s 38-14 win against Arkansas. He also caught three passes for a game-high 85 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown.
Defensive – Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina. Ingram scored his third touchdown of the season, this time falling on a fumble in the end zone in the second quarter for the Gamecocks’ first points in a 21-3 win over Vanderbilt. Ingram was also credited with four tackles on the night, including three tackles for loss that accounted for 24 yards, and a pair of sacks. He also broke up one pass.
Special Teams - Brad Wing, P, LSU. Wing punted six times for a 48.7 average in LSU’s 47-21 win at West Virginia. All six of Wing’s punts were downed inside the 20-yard line. West Virginia’s started possessions at its own 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 yard line following Wing’s punts. None of Wing’s punts were returned. His long punt of 60 yards that went from LSU having the ball on its own 34 to pinning West Virginia inside its 5-yard line.
Offensive Lineman - Barrett Jones, OT, Alabama. Jones received the highest grade on the Alabama offensive line in the Crimson Tide’s 38-14 win against Arkansas.Jones helped lead a balanced Alabama attack that led to 197 rushing yards and 200 passing yards.The Alabama offense had just four lost yardage plays of the 59 ran for minus 10 yards.
Defensive Lineman - Jaye Howard, DT, Florida. Howard recovered a fumble and returned it for Florida’s first defensive touchdown of the season in the Gators’ 48-10 win against Kentucky. He totaled three tackles and has a pass breakup against the Wildcats. Howard anchored a defensive front that limited Kentucky to 4-of-17 on third downs and 0-for-5 on fourth downs and forced the Wildcats into three 3-and-outs.
Freshman - Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia. Crowell recorded a career-high 30 carries for a career-high 147 yards (4.9 average) to pace the Bulldogs during their 27-13 road win over Ole Miss.
What You Need To Know About the Newest Member of the SEC
The Southeastern Conference is obviously excited to welcome Texas A&M as its 13th member. They do a great job of outlining what SEC fans need to know once they officially join the conference July 1, 2012. Click here to find out more about the Aggies (via the SEC Digital Network).
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