After the first weekend of conference play, here are the power rankings around the SEC for the week of 3/9/14 - 3/16/14
1. Vanderbilt (18-3, 2-1)
Vanderbilt didn't have the strongest schedule, and their first SEC series vs LSU would show how good they really are. A 2 out of 3 series win is solid, but when it is against a team such as LSU, it's extraordinary. They will travel to Starkville to play a series with Mississippi State next weekend.
2. South Carolina (18-1, 2-1)
Before SEC play started, South Carolina would no doubt be the number 1 team on this list. The gamecocks got 2 out of 3 against Ole Miss, but it was not a very convincing series win. Don't get me wrong, Ole Miss is a good baseball team, but South Carolina did not play as well as they have played, especially in game one and through 8 innings in game 2. South Carolina will travel to Lexington to play a good Kentucky team next weekend.
3. LSU (17-4, 1-2)
LSU only took one in their opening series against Vanderbilt. They struggled throughout the series, and if they would be able to snatch 2 of 3, they would probably be number 2 on the list. The Tigers will have an opportunity to pick their SEC season back up against Georgia next weekend.
4. Ole Miss (17-4, 1-2)
Although they lost the series, Ole Miss played very well in their opening series against South Carolina, especially on the road. They should have taken 2 of 3, but a 3 run 9th inning for SC sent game 2 into extra innings before the gamecocks got the walk-off single. This is a good baseball team. Ole Miss should pick up a couple of SEC wins against Missouri in Oxford next weekend.
5. Tennessee (17-2, 2-1)
The vols are probably the surprise in the SEC right now. They lost only one game in their non-conference schedule and they picked up 3 wins in the week, one against Middle Tennessee State, and two against Missouri. Tennessee plays a hot Auburn team next weekend at home.
6. Mississippi State (15-8, 2-1)
And here are the Dawgs. State played a sloppy non-conference schedule, and they got walloped in game one in the Georgia series. But, with a strong complete game outing by Ross Mitchell, MSU was able to bounce back with a 6-1 victory in game 2, and took the series with a 4-1 game 3 victory. In my opinion, to show that they are as good as they were last year, Mississippi State is going to have to win 2 of 3 against Vanderbilt this weekend.
7. Florida (13-7, 2-1)
Florida had a solid 3-1 week with a series win against Arkansas. Arkansas has struggled up to this point, but they are still a good team. Florida plays a crucial game game against Florida State and a road series against Texas A&M next week.
8. Kentucky (14-6, 1-2)
Kentucky was having a very good year, but they dropped a disappointing series loss against Alabama. It really was a must win series for the Cats, as they could've gotten some wins before a tough series against South Carolina next weekend. If SC continues their solid play, Kentucky can find themselves in a hole with a 1-4 SEC record.
9. Texas A&M (14-7, 1-2)
Texas A&M had a great start to their week with a two game series sweep of Texas-Pan American, but they had a very bad series loss vs Auburn, who hasn't had a great year. Things only get tougher for the Aggies as they play Florida next weekend.
10. Alabama (12-6, 2-1)
Alabama picked up 2 of 3 against Kentucky this weekend, and it was a very big series win for the Tide. They play a road series against Arkansas next weekend, and we will see how good they really are in those 3 games.
11. Auburn (13-7, 2-1)
Auburn picked up a season boosting series win against Texas A&M this past weekend. The Tigers struggled up to this point in the season, and this series really was big for Auburn. They have a shot to pick up a couple more SEC wins against Tennessee in Knoxville next weekend.
12. Georgia (13-8, 1-2)
The bulldogs picked up two victories against Western Kentucky before playing the other SEC bulldogs in a three game series. Georgia was hot going into the series, winning 10 in a row. Georgia throttled MSU in game one, but lost the last two. Georgia showed that they're not that bad of a team, but they're going to have to pick up some extra wins a and improve their record to show us. They will have a difficult road series against LSU next weekend.
13. Arkansas (9-7, 1-2)
At the beginning of last year, Arkansas was ranked preseason number one. Jump forward a year, and they're 9-7 and coming off of a series loss to Florida. The Razorbacks actually played fairly well against the Gators, losing by only one run in each of Florida's wins, and they creamed Florida 9-3 in game 3. Arkansas will return home for a series with Texas A&M, which will be a good opportunity to pick up some wins.
14. Missouri (9-9, 1-2)
Missouri, Missouri, Missouri. The only SEC team without a winning record, and they had a losing record entering this week. The defeated Alcorn State twice, and I know, they have a baseball team, and they picked up a win in a series loss against Tennessee. The Tennessee win was good, but they got thumped in the two other games, losing by a combined 7 runs. It will get worse for Mizzou as they travel to Ole Miss next weekend.
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