Week 1 SEC power rankings: Alabama, Georgia sit atop

The Crimson Tide will enter the 2022 season atop our SEC power rankings.

The combination of returning production and the addition of future transfers portends something special for Bama coming off a self-proclaimed “rebuilding” year.

Will Anderson and Dallas Turner form the best EDGE duo in the country. Heisman winner Bryce Young will be joined by cornerback Jahmyr Gibbs (Georgia Tech transfer) in the backfield.

If the offensive line can improve and the transfers show up, this is the best team in the SEC.

A total of 15 players are gone thanks to the NFL draft.

This does not mean that talent escapes this list. Five stars fill the offensive and defensive lines. Running back Kenny McIntosh will lead another loaded backfield. QB Stetson Bennett IV is back for his sixth season of college football.

Finding ways not to slip into complacency has been a theme for head coach Kirby Smart this offseason. If they take care of business, another SEC East title is on the horizon.

Feral cats are the beneficiaries of some holidays.

Although running back Chris Rodriguez (2,739 career rushing yards) will play the first three or four games of the year, UK has the weakest schedule in the SEC.

QB Will Levis will have time to build some chemistry with his new receiving core before the Wildcats hit October. Surviving a trip to Florida in week two will be the biggest task in September.

It’s time for Jimbo Fisher to produce.

8-4 is starting to stall for the Aggies, and unless Haynes King significantly elevates the offense, it’s hard to see A&M going much further than that record.

Quarterback KJ Jefferson will lead a rejuvenated Arkansas team coming off a surprising 9-4 campaign in 2021.

If defensive coordinator Barry Odom can continue to improve the defense, the Razorbacks will be in contention for the SEC West.

The attack will score.

A lot.

The defense will give up goals.

A lot.

It will be fun to watch.

It doesn’t look like Lane Kiffin has the quarterback room he wants for his offense. He has to make do with Luke Altmyer and USC transfer Jaxson Dart.

A step back for the Rebels might be in order, especially given the schedule.

Shane Beamer has everything moving in the right direction. Carolina’s final record may not show it, but things are changing for the better in Columbia.

Oklahoma transfer Spencer Rattler could help things move forward.

State has a load of production returning, along with QB Will Rogers.

Mike Leach’s side have serious dark horse potential, but inconsistency could kill their aspirations in the end. The schedule is extremely difficult.

Most have LSU ranked higher in their power rankings. Until Kelly shows he can lift this roster past where they currently are, the Tigers are here to stay.

Auburn was a few games/injuries away from a nine-game hitting streak in 2021. They may not win nine games this season, but the roster isn’t without talent.

ESPN FPI says this is the toughest schedule in the country. Auburn somehow usually finds a way to survive. Curious to see if Bryan Harsin can pull off a strong record.

The overall talent level nor depth is there for the Gators. QB Anthony Richardson has upside, but will have to do a lot for this team to win more than maybe seven games.

Billy Napier’s first year could be full of ups and downs.

Mizzou losing Tyler Badie (SEC leading rusher) to graduation hurts. Starting a rookie quarterback isn’t particularly exciting either.

The defense will have to step up in order for the Tigers to break out. I’m not sure if they will.

The Commodores proved something last Saturday: They are 53 points better than Hawaii.

How do they do against the SEC? We will find out.