Paul's Power Poll: Week 1

1. Alabama (1-0 overall, 0-0 in SEC, 1st last week): The Crimson Tide clicked on all cylinders in a season-opening win over San Jose State. 

Not only did the defense stifle its opponent, but the offense looked like a well-oiled machine even without defending Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. 

Running backs Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy picked up the slack.

2. Georgia(1-0 overall, 0-0 in SEC, 3rd last week): Even without starting running back Washaun Ealey and outstanding receiver A.J. Green, the Georgia offense didn’t miss a beat against La.-Lafayette. 

Quarterback Aaron Murray made his debut, passing for three touchdowns and flashing his athleticism on a touchdown run.

3. South Carolina (1-0 overall, 0-0 in SEC, 6th last week): Coach Steve Spurrier chastised quarterback Stephen Garcia all off-season as a motivational ploy. 

It worked. 

Garcia’s solid passing effort and two rushing touchdowns ignited the Gamecocks 41-13 victory over Southern Miss. 

True freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore added two scores.

4. Arkansas (1-0 overall, 0-0 in SEC, 4th last week): Quarterback Ryan Mallett’s Heisman Trophy hopes got off to a solid start with the signal caller throwing three touchdown passes in a blowout over Tennessee Tech. 

Tailbacks Dennis Johnson, Ronnie Wingo and Broderick Green each scored on the ground.

5. Auburn (1-0 overall, 0-0 in SEC, 7th last week, 7th last week): The Tigers piled up over 600 yards of total offense, coasting to a victory over Arkansas State. 

Junior college transfer quarterback Cam Newton had a terrific debut, tossing three scores and rushing for 171 yards and two touchdowns.

6. Florida (1-0 overall, 0-0 in SEC, 2nd last week): The post-Tim Tebow era got off to a rocky start as coach Urban Meyer’s Gators were stymied offensively by Miami (OH) in a 34-12 win. Through three quarters, Florida managed just 25 yards of offense before the Gators pulled away in the fourth quarter.

7. LSU (1-0 overall, 0-0 in SEC, 5th last week): Even without 13 players due to suspensions, North Carolina gave the Tigers fits. 

Quarterback T.J. Yates guided North Carolina’s offense to LSU’s 6-yard-line for the potential go-ahead score with seconds left, but Yates threw two incomplete passes and the Tigers were victorious.

8. Mississippi State (1-0 overall, 0-0 in SEC, 10th last week): No Anthony Dixon, no problem. 

The Bulldogs went to the air against Memphis, and backup quarterback Tyler Russell tossed four touchdown passes while starter Chris Relf also played well. 

Russell tied the school record for touchdown passes in a game.

9. Kentucky (1-0 overall, 0-0 in SEC, 9th last week): The debut of coach Joker Phillips was a solid one as the Wildcats defeated rival Louisville on the road. 

Electric tailback Derrick Locke was the difference, rushing for over 100 yards and scoring two touchdowns on the ground while also grabbing three passes.

10. Tennessee (1-0 overall, 0-0 in SEC, 11th last week): First-year coach Derek Dooley used a bevy of running backs to spank Tennessee-Martin 50-0. Taureen Poole did the most damage by rushing for 110 yards and two scores, while quarterback Matt Simms played game manager. 

11. Vanderbilt (0-1 overall, 0-0 in SEC, 12th last week):  The Commodores fought hard in the head-coaching debut of Robbie Caldwell, but Northwestern prevailed 23-21. 

Wildcats quarterback Dan Persa proved to be the difference, accounting for three passing scores and leading Northwestern in rushing.

12. Ole Miss (0-1 overall, 0-0 in SEC, 8th last week): Houston Nutt called Saturday’s 49-48 double-overtime loss to Football Championship opponent Jacksonville State the worst of his career. 

The Rebels led by 21 points at halftime, but couldn’t stop the Gamecocks’ dink-and-dunk, option attack in the second half.