Previous Power Rankings:

The SEC’s 2014 season is officially in the books, and it was another thrilling year that saw incredible storylines and players emerge. It’s the second year in a row that no SEC will win the national championship, and college football is actively portraying its cyclical nature.

One SEC coach was fired (Will Muschamp), and several assistant coaches are still taking part in the coaching carousel. The SEC West flexed its regular season muscles, while flopping during the bowl games, aside from Arkansas and Texas A&M. However, the SEC East rebounded during the postseason to go 5-0 in the bowl games after looking weak during the regular season.

Here are the final SEC power rankings of 2014, as voted on by our entire staff:

Whiffed on bowl games

14. Vanderbilt Commodores (3-9)
13. Kentucky Wildcats (5-7)

Vanderbilt and Kentucky bring up the tail end of the final SEC power rankings. The two were the only teams to miss on bowl games in 2014. Derek Mason is putting together a much different looking staff at Vanderbilt for 2015, and Kentucky hopes to return to postseason action next year, too. The Wildcats are in a much better position to accomplish what the Commodores did under James Franklin.

SEC East trio

12. South Carolina Gamecocks (7-6)
11. Florida Gators (7-5)
10. Tennessee Volunteers (7-6)

South Carolina had an up-and-down season, but the Gamecocks capped off the year with a win over Miami in the Independence Bowl. USC is rebuilding its club, but the biggest item on the agenda is finding a quarterback…A Will Muschamp-less Florida won its bowl game over ECU, and the Gators’ defense made timely plays to close it out. Now, the Jim McElwain era has officially started, and he’s putting together a nice staff. Coach Mac will have his hands full making Florida’s offense show a pulse in 2015…Tennessee is one of the country’s hottest teams. The Vols finished strong down the stretch and throttled Iowa, and they are building a nasty defensive line with top prospects pledging ahead of National Signing Day. Is Tennessee the favorite to win the SEC East in 2015? Good times are returning to Rocky Top.

Middle of the pack

9. Texas A&M Aggies (8-5)
8. Arkansas Razorbacks (7-6)
7. LSU Tigers (8-5)

Texas A&M capped off a disappointing finish to the 2014 season by beating West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl. However, bright times are ahead with Kyle Allen at the helm, and with John Chavis taking over the defense, the Aggies are already stoked for 2015…Arkansas won just seven games this season, but the Hogs were much better than the record. Bret Bielema is building a big-time program right now, and Arkansas fans have to be encouraged and be patient. Another recruiting class or two, and the Hogs will compete for the SEC West…LSU has an interesting off-season ahead. John Chavis, who has been the backbone of the incredible defense, is gone, and the Tigers have big question marks at quarterback entering spring practice. Developing Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris will keep both Les Miles and Cam Cameron busy, but this roster is loaded with talent.

SEC West duo

6. Ole Miss Rebels (9-4)
5. Auburn Tigers (8-5)

Ole Miss’ loss to TCU will be talked about for a while, but the Rebels had a truly nice season. Now, questions abound for Hugh Freeze and whether he can win a championship at Ole Miss and who his quarterback will be. Still, Mississippi will have one of college football’s most talented rosters in 2015…Auburn was one of college football’s most disappointing teams in 2014, and the offense seemed to never fire on all cylinders or find consistency, while the defense struggled throughout. The offense will have a total makeover next season with different players, and Will Muschamp has much work to do transforming his defensive unit. However, expect the Tigers to reload in 2015.

Double-digit win trio

4. Mississippi State Bulldogs (10-3)
3. Missouri Tigers (11-3)
2. Georgia Bulldogs (10-3)

Mississippi State had a disappointing finish against Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl, but don’t let that overshadow a big season. With so many veterans gone in 2015, it’s only common sense to think the Bulldogs will take a slight step back. Let’s see what Dak Prescott decides to do first…Missouri has won 23 games in two seasons. That’s remarkable. And the Tigers are back-to-back SEC East Champions, still searching for that elusive SEC Championship. Key pieces have to be replaced in 2015, but don’t think the Tigers are going anywhere…Georgia has some guy named Nick Chubb who announced his presence in 2014 in a massive way. The Bulldogs lost the one game they couldn’t — vs. Florida, and it ruined another division crown opportunity. Through all the smoke and coaching changes, Georgia will compete for a championship again in 2015. UGA does have a big question mark at quarterback.

SEC’s top team

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (12-2)

SEC Champion Alabama was the conference’s best team this past season, but the Crimson Tide fell short of their goal in the College Football Playoff. Replacing Amari Cooper and Blake Sims will be tough, but the Tide will be loaded with talent yet again in 2015, and the perennial program will make another run at a championship next season.