2024 SEC Conference Power Rankings: Week 1

The first full weekend of the college football season did not disappoint, with the SEC Conference teams having mixed results. Teams have at least 11 more games to make it right, but here are my SEC Conference Power Rankings after Week 1.

1. Georgia

Business resumed as usual, as Kirby Smarts' team dismantled Clemson 34-3 after a slow start to the game. The Tigers are not the same team as three or four seasons ago, but they still have a top defense. The Bulldogs made light work of it in the second half and put out a statement to the rest of college football.

2. Vanderbilt

This is not an editorial mistake. Vanderbilt is at No. 2 in the Week 1 power rankings. Clark Lea secured his best win as the Commodores head coach, beating ACC dark horses Virginia Tech in overtime. Enjoy it, Vandy fans, as it may not get better than this in 2024.

3. Texas

The Longhorns won their first game as an SEC program, beating a plucky Colorado State 52-0. The impressive part of the result was stopping explosive offensive QB-WR duo Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and Tory Horton to just 31 offensive yards and zero points.

4. Alabama

The post-Nick Saban era under new head coach Kalen DeBoer started well. The Crimson Tide were comfortable, winning 63-0 over Western Kentucky. Quarterback Jalen Milroe looked good, and the defense allowed just 145 offensive yards.

5. Ole Miss

The Rebels' 76-0 win over FCS side Furman was the highest total points in the Lane Kiffin era. We know what the offense can do, but the defense allowed just seven first downs. There are tougher games to come for Ole Miss, but it was an emphatic victory.

6. Tennessee

The quarterback baton has been passed to Nico Iamaleava in Knoxville, potentially bringing one of Tennessee's best quarterbacks. He threw for over 300 passing yards and three touchdowns in the Vols 69-3 over Chattanooga.

7. Kentucky

Kentucky managed just two quarters and change of football in week 1 due to a lightning storm. Quarterback Brock Vandagriff had three passing touchdowns over Southern Miss, finishing the game 31-0 with plenty of time to rack up more points if it wasn't for the game being cut short.

8. Oklahoma

Oklahoma landed at No.8 but didn't have to get into top gear in Week 1. The Sooners' 51-3 win over Temple was helped by six turnovers. Jackson Arnold had just 141 passing yards but threw four touchdowns. We will learn more about them over the coming weeks.

9. Arkansas

Arkansas dropped 70 points on FCS side Arkansas-Pine Bluff while allowing zero. Quarterback Taylen Green helped the Razorback to 687 offensive yards while having four touchdowns (two passing and two rushing). The team may look better in 2024 under new offensive coordinator Bonny Petrino. Oklahoma State on the road in Week 2 will tell us more.

10. Missouri

Another team that didn't get into top gear, Missouri, had the game against Murray State won after the first quarter. Four opening-quarter touchdowns helped the Tigers to a 51-0 win, with the defense allowing 85 offensive yards.

11. Auburn

Peyton Thorne had a tough time last season but started 2024 with over 300 passing yards and four touchdowns in Week 1. Auburn had ten touchdowns on the day in a 73-3 win over Alabama A&M. The Tigers should be better this season, significantly if the quarterback play improves.

12. Mississippi State

New head coach Jeff Lebby has a chance of turning the program around, and it got off to a solid start. A 56-7 win over Eastern Kentucky, with quarterback Blake Shapen, had four touchdowns and 247 passing yards. The Bulldogs are another team we will learn more about in Week 2, with Arizona State on the road.

13. South Carolina

The Gamecocks escaped with a win at home to Old Dominion, but it was not pretty. The game finished 23-19, and if the Monarchs hadn't turned the ball over four times, South Carolina could be sitting at 0-1. Running back transfer Raheim Sanders was a bright spot, rushing for 88 yards and a touchdown.

14. LSU

A post-game press conference that showed LSU head coach Brian Kelly slamming the table in anger was enough to show you how this game went. A long trip to Vegas resulted in a 27-20 loss to USC, with the Tigers having numerous chances to put the game to bed. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier looked good, with 304 passing yards and two touchdowns, despite an interception on the last drive.

15. Texas A&M

A chance for an opening week statement win for the Aggies was scuppered by Notre Dame, going down 23-13. Mike Elko's team was in the game up until the fourth quarter, with 10 points in the final four minutes securing the win for the Fighting Irish. There are positives and things to learn from heading into game 2 of the season for Texas A&M.

16. Florida

Yikes! All is not well down in Gainsville, as Florida was dominated by rivals Miami in their own backyard. The Hurricanes had more than double the Gators' offensive yards, winning the game 41-17. Even a layup against Samford in Week 2 won't cool the hot seat down for head coach Billy Napier.