Bulldogs on top, Lane Kiffin's big chance and more

With college football getting into full swing this weekend, the weekly SEC Power Poll is back, stronger (and with two more teams) than ever. Texas and Oklahoma are in, and complaining about your team’s ranking is out. There’s only one way to earn respect here: beat good teams. Not lose to bad ones. Wins against weaklings won’t do much, if anything. We enter 2024 with a familiar face (Georgia) at the top and a familiar bottom at the bottom.

1. Georgia

This week: against Clemson (in Atlanta)

What you should know: Anything but Georgia in first place and I would deserve a reprimand for reckless polling.

2. Texas

This week: against Colorado State

What you should know: In time, the Longhorns will realize that everything in the SEC was already great.

3. Alabama

This week: against Western Kentucky

What you should know: Was out of town. Is anything different with Alabama football this year?

4. Ole Miss

This week: against Furman

What you should know: If Lane Kiffin doesn’t break out this year, he may never.

5. Tennessee

This week: against Chattanooga

What you should know: What better name for a wide receiver in college football than Squirrel White? Send your submissions to [email protected].

6. Missouri

This week: against Murray State

What you should know: There is no better QB-WR combination in the league than Brady Cook and Luther Burden. But for now, there are five better teams.

7. LSU

This week: vs. Southern California (in Las Vegas)

What you should know: The Tigers are playing in Vegas? Good thing Ed Orgeron has moved on.

8. Oklahoma

This week: vs. Temple

What you should know: Will Texas and Oklahoma join the SEC, or Texas and Tulsa? Despite all the preseason talk about the Longhorns, we barely notice a difference.

9. Florida

This week: against Miami

What you should know: If you don’t think an 0-1 start would be a big problem for Billy Napier, you haven’t seen what November looks like for the Gators.

10. Texas A&M

This week: against Notre Dame

What you should know: Jimbo is gone, and with him the preseason hype. But at least anonymity doesn’t cost $77 million.

11. Kentucky

This week: against Southern Miss

What you should know: Was the last time the United Kingdom’s starting quarterback didn’t come from somewhere else? 2020.

12. Auburn

This week: against Alabama A&M

What you should know: Tigers fans ~~would love~~ Hugh Freeze’s offense will require more explosiveness this year.

13.South Carolina

This week: against Old Dominion

What you should know: Death, taxes and South Carolina’s special teams making a difference.

14. Arkansas

This week: against Arkansas-Pine Bluff

What you should know: Sam Pittman’s pitch isn’t the hottest in the league, but it’s hot enough to slow smoke pork.

15. State of Mississippi

This week: against Eastern Kentucky

What you should know: Under new coach Jeff Lebby, there should be a strong passing offense again. And also low expectations.

16. Vanderbilt

This week: against Virginia Tech

What you should know: Anchor down!

Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at [email protected]. Follow him on X.com at @chasegoodbread.