SEC Power Rankings: Week 4

Be warned. These rankings are solely based on play through the first four weeks of THIS season. What each team has done in the past is great and all, but we are all about the here and now when we rank POWER.

Drum roll, please...

1) LSU (4-0, 1-0 SEC, Last week 2)- The Tigers should not have been under anyone's radar coming into the season based on what Les Miles has done year after year in Baton Rouge. But this squad has silenced any doubters from a few weeks ago. An argument could be make that Jeremy Hill is the best back in the SEC, ahead of Alabama's T.J. Yeldon or Todd Gurley, but doesn't get the touches to prove it because of the Tiger's depth at this position.

2) Alabama (4-0, 1-0, LW: 1)- Never while watching this game was there doubt that the Tide would win the game. And it may be another case of unreasonable expectations coming into this season, but it's not all clicking like we have come to expect from a Nick Saban-coached team. Two-of-ten on third down conversions against Colorado state isn't right either.

3) Texas A&M (3-1, 0-1 LW: 3)- Another week, another three hundred yards of offense and three scores for Johnny Manziel. God have mercy on the Arkansas defense next week.

4) Georgia (2-1, 1-0, LW: 4)- Aaron Murray inched closer to topping the SEC's all-time touchdown passes list as he went for over 400 yards, three passing and one rushing scores. The inexperience for the Dawgs is becoming more evident: they were tied with North Texas at 21 in the third quarter. There will be no such room for error as LSU comes to Athens this weekend.

5) South Carolina (2-1, 1-1, LW: 5)- The Gamecocks were off this week in preparation, for the Golden Knights of UCF come Saturday. They hit a weak part of the schedule and play should-be wins until Florida in mid-November.

6) Ole Miss (3-0, 1-0, LW: 6)- Off this week, the Black Bears get a trip to Tuscaloosa to play in what many media experts were calling a trap game for the Crimson tide on Saturday. After the past few games bet that the Tide come to play.

7) Florida (2-1, 1-0 LW: 7)- It wasn't pretty, but has it been at any point this season for the Gators? The defense is one of three or four--and I'm hesitant to use this word--"elite" units in the game, forcing SIX Tennessee turnovers. The big news was Jeff Driskel is out for the season. I wish him all the best in his baseball career.

8) Missouri (3-0, LW: 9)- While the defense has been suspect against second-rate competition, the offense has performed up to expectations. Missouri has one more non-conference game before opening SEC play against Vanderbilt in Nashville.

9) Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-2, LW: 8)- In a game played in front of an abysmal audience, the Commodores, which is the goal every week. It wasn't until the fourth quarter that Vandy started to pull away, but at least one SEC team won in the Northeast this week.

10) Auburn (3-1, 1-1 LW: 12)- Moving up after a loss is a rarity so enjoy this present, Tigers. I'm ususally not one for moral victories, but given where this program was at the end of last season, their performance on the road in Death Valley was commendable. Take notice of Tre Mason. He's a good ballplayer.

11) Arkansas (3-1, LW: 11)- The question being raised in Razorback circles is "what went wrong?" After amassing a 24-7 lead midway through the third, it looked as if the Hogs would exact revenge on the Scarlet Knights. Then, one penalty after defensive miscue after poor play call after another happened and Arkansas lost to a team it had on the ropes.

12) Tennessee (2-1, LW: 10)- Butch, your decision-making, "Woof!" Most Volunteer fans are as perplexed as I am by the decision to start Nathan Peterman over previous starter Justin Worley. Time proved the perplexed right. Justin didn't play out of this Worl'd'ey, but he did lead two scoring drives. That's two more than Peterman--who finished 4-of-11 for five yards and two picks of his own--can say.

13) Mississippi State (2-2, 0-1, LW: 14)- The Bulldogs looked far from incompetent on offense for the first time this season, putting together over 550 yards. Now that the offense is figured out, let's try it out facing LSU.

14) Kentucky (1-2, LW: 13)- Doesn't this just feel right? As wrong as this list is 1-13, the Wildcats being the worst team in the SEC is like Manziel taunting after a score, a sure thing.

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A native of Arkansas now calling the Hogs from yonder in Georgia, you can follow Graham on Twitter @grahamreaves or read his blog, On My Mind In Georgia.