SEC
If you were unaware, Pro Football Focus does college football power rankings. The site attempts to rank teams using advanced analysts but based on some of their results, they may need to go back to the drawing board when it comes to their formula.
The two teams at the top — Clemson and Alabama — are no surprise, but that’s where things get interesting. LSU is ranked No. 3 in the nation. While that’s not totally out of the question, Iowa is No. 10 and Kentucky is No. 19.
Here is how Pro Football Focus claims their rankings are calculated:
The Elo algorithm updates a team’s rating dynamically through using the outcome of a game versus what was expected to happen in a game, assigning bigger bumps to teams that upset great teams than teams that narrowly beat teams for which they are big favorites. The PFF version uses PFF grades for every facet of play to derive what the score of a game should have been based on an ensemble of models that weigh positive and negative plays in said facets.
That breakdown, which is likely very fluid at this time considering there are no games to actually judge these teams entering the 2019 season, resulted in the following preseason rankings for SEC teams:
#2 Alabama
#3 LSU
#4 Georgia
#8 Florida
#13 Auburn
#14 Texas A&M
#15 Mississippi State
#17 Missouri
#19 Kentucky
Please …please…buy up all the lsu stock you can….Coach O will be on the hot seat by seasons end. Mark it down.
Don’t be a fool. I was leery about Coach O for a while, but it’s clear he has LSU moving up.
You can say this every season if you like. My guess is that Orgeron will be at LSU even after Saban retires.
Even if he continues to finish no better than 3rd in the west?
He finished 6th in the country. That keeps you off of the hot seat.
But it doesn’t answer the question.
Well, he didn’t actually finish third in the West. LSU finished tied for second and got a much better bowl game than the school they were tied with, and lost to head to head. I’ll take that season anytime. Two of the teams LSU lost to come to Tiger Stadium this season. I expect good things from those two visits. Orgeron is in no danger at this time. Win 10 games and finish in the top 10, and that gives you job security.
So basically be the Mark Richt of the SEC West (without winning the division) and his job is safe. I’m messing with you a bit, but honestly, he has finished 3rd all three season’s. Head to head means something.
Tied for second twice and finished third with a 6-2 record. His first two seasons don’t cut it because he didn’t win 10. LSU lost to Mullen and Fisher last season, but those were both on the road. We will see what happens in Tiger Stadium. Last season, LSU finished 6th in the country in the poll and 4th in recruiting. I’ll take that.
So let me phrase it another way (since you just can’t bring yourself to admit he finished 3rd all 3 season’s), Will he outlast Saban if he fails to finish any better than “tied for 2nd”?
If we don’t win the West, it doesn’t matter where we finish in conference. I just want to win 10 and finish in the top 10. Finishing second means nothing to me.
This place would not be the same without you jarhead. I have a feeling Orgeron will stay for quite a while, too. But, LSU will tire of him if he can’t get over the hump in the next 3-4 years. Will Saban still be around… who knows? Heck, the same could be said about Jimbo if the Aggies had not have committed so much guaranteed money.
Eventually, folks are going to expect him to challenge Bama. I don’t expect him to challenge Bama with Saban, but it would be nice to get a win over them at some point. They are the only school in the conference that LSU hasn’t shown the ability to beat.
Finally, a publication that gets it.
I don’t get why its insinuated to be totally out of the question to see Kentucky at 19. Throwing program bias aside, I would say the most likely result is Kentucky ends up with 8 wins which would put them in the 20-25 range at the end of the regular season. 9 wins and getting in the teens is certainly possible
Truth. The lack of respect is ridiculous.
I would guess this “power ranking” is a bit more accurate after two or three conference games are played. Just like any other preseason ranking, it’s pretty safe to have Clemson and Alabama in the top 2. Project whatever team after that within reason. It all means very little.
LSU is loaded with talent, and that tends to swing games in their favor. I just dont think Burrow can elevate them to the heights of bama, UGA, and Clemson. The QB position doesn’t seem to be a priority at LSU.
Surely didn’t hurt LSU last season against UGA. LSU beat them straight up and finished higher than them in the rankings.
But I think LSU could be a juggernaut if they could get a better player under center.
Probably right. It’s not like LSU isn’t offering the elite QB’s, but they have chosen to go elsewhere. Maybe that will change with the new additions to the staff. Hopefully anyway. The OLine will also have to get better for LSU to truly be amongst the elite.
If these are “power rankings” I.E. How good a team is rather than what their record will look like… then I’d have Carolina ahead of Missouri.
I get they got Kelly Bryant, but I fail to see why people expect them to challenge Georgia and finish in the Top 25. In my mind, Bryant is only a marginal upgrade over Lock, and only because he fits the Tigers’ system better than Lock did. We’ll see I guess.
Mizzou had one of the toughest schedules in the nation last year, and were it not for a last second loss to SCar and UK, we would’ve been a 10 win team. SCar looks better on paper/recruiting but on the field I don’t think you guys have an edge over us.
Talent wise, I’d say we do. (To be fair, I’m not as familiar with Ya’lls roster as I am Carolina’s).
On Offense, we have:
An inconsistent QB, but when he’s on his game he’s considerably more dangerous than Kelly. EVEN.
A solid Offensive Line. But, I do remember Mizzou’s line from last year being very good, so if it’s still intact, Edge goes to Mizzou.
A very good group of WR’s. I would argue one of the most dangerous in the SEC outside of Bama. Edge Carolina.
Meh group of Backs, edge goes to Tigers unless Feaster comes to Carolina.
And TE absolutely goes to Ya’ll. That Albert kid is special.
Overall Offense v. offense is pretty even. I’d say if Bentley is on his game, ours is superior, but only slightly.
On Defense, we have:
A deep defensive line, with a strong mix of veterans (a la Kinlaw and Wonnum) and young elite talent (looking at you, Pickens.) They aren’t getting alot of hype now, but this unit will end up being one of the best in the SEC. Edge Carolina.
Linebackers- Outside of Brunson in the middle, we are pretty shaky at LB. I’m not aware of what Mizzou has at this spot, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. Edge Mizzou.
Secondary. – We have two studs at CB this year in Horn and Israel. Horn especially. There are a ton of guys, both young and veterans, who will compete for the safety/Nickelback spots. They’ll be solid aswell. Edge Carolina.
Honestly, I think defense is where SC is going to separate from Mizzou this year. If the Linebacker group can sort itself out, then this will be an excellent unit. Paired with an inconsistent but volatile offense, this team will be a tough out. I just can’t imagine the Tigers having the same depth on defense as the Gamecocks. But again, I’m not terribly well versed when it comes to Mizzou’s roster, so maybe I’m wrong.
I doubt it :P
In summary, we have a better offense and SCar has a better defense. If our defense is even a little better we should have a dangerous team, but there’s no signs of life yet.
Thats the short version yes :)
I’m gonna be honest with you, my money is on the Zou being a very good team this year. Not elite, but good. Maybe even 9-0 coming into Athens. 11-1 ain’t out of the question if y’all can upset Florida. Likely 9-3 or 10-2 finish tho. I don’t see SCar as a challenge to Mizzou
Oh there’s no doubt in my mind that Mizzou will have an undefeated season since we’re banned from the postseason. That’s just our luck.
Bratton is just mad the UT isn’t on the list