Week 11 SEC Baseball Power Rankings: Vols, Hogs ... and who else?
With a mere 3 weeks of regular season play left, the SEC picture is very clear in the East (UT and then everybody else) and remains crowded in the West. Here’s how they stack up:
14. Kentucky (24-20, 7-14)
Kentucky is tied for the worst record in the league, but Mizzou won its series and Ole Miss gave Arkansas a tremendous battle. So, by virtue of losing their series to a Florida team that is only a game out of the league cellar, the Wildcats fall to the bottom of the pack.
13. Ole Miss (24-19, 7-14)
On the one hand, the Rebels still have way too much talent to be ranked this low. On the other hand, the teams that might have competed for ranking this low mostly had very good weeks. The Rebels are still 2 games in the West basement with 9 SEC games left. The home series with Mizzou is definitely their best chance to gain ground, as it is followed by a weekend at LSU and then hosting a ranked Texas A&M squad to finish.
12. Missouri (24-17, 7-14)
The Tigers won their series with Mississippi State and thus pulled even with the Rebels and Wildcats for the last spot in the conference. One of those teams will end up making the SEC Tournament in Hoover. The Tigers finish with a trip to Oxford, a home series with Florida, and then a trip to Georgia. Next weekend will lift the Tigers or Rebels into better position to play in Hoover.
11. Alabama (25-20, 9-12)
Yes, the Tide take a tumble after getting swept by South Carolina. Alabama finishes with 3 consecutive ranked SEC squads — home against LSU, at Auburn, and then home against Arkansas. That’s a tough finish for a now-fading Tide squad that went into the Carolina series at .500 and in the thick of the league race but now sits 3 games back of the 2nd-place pile-up.
10. Mississippi State (25-20, 9-12)
Sure, the Bulldogs have the same record as the Tide. And they did just lose a series to Missouri. Their advantage over Alabama is hosting Florida this coming weekend. If the Bulldogs can’t gain some ground on the Tide (and potentially move into 5th in the West), then the ending isn’t pretty — with a series at A&M and then a series hosting Tennessee.
9. South Carolina (22-20, 9-12)
Yes, the same Gamecocks that have lingered near the bottom of the league are steadily in the middle of the pack. First, they swept Alabama, which certainly didn’t hurt. And their remaining schedule isn’t too bad — sure, they have to go to A&M next weekend. But after that, they’ll finish by hosting Kentucky and playing Florida. If Carolina can avoid a sweep in College Station, a .500 league season could still be in play.
8. Florida (25-18, 8-13)
Yes, the Gators bested a bad Kentucky team. They are still just a single game out of the SEC basement, but they also will finish at Mississippi State, at Missouri, and then at home against South Carolina. Like USC, they can gain a couple games on a pretty mediocre East division and put themselves in play to surprise some people in Hoover — if not beyond.
7. Vanderbilt (29-13, 10-11)
Not only did Vandy lose another series and drop below .500 in league play, but they finish by going to Georgia, playing at Arkansas, and then hosting LSU. The last losing SEC season from Vandy came in 2009, with 5 College World Series appearances between then and now. But Tim Corbin might have to pull a rabbit out of his hat to avoid one this year.
6. LSU (29-14, 12-9)
The No. 20 Tigers took down Georgia in a big-time series victory to pull into the 2nd-place tie in the West. They finish with a trio of winnable series foes — at Bama, home against Ole Miss and at Vandy. The Tigers are in the top half of the league in hitting and pitching, and if their pitching staff can keep it up, the big bats will put LSU in the picture to host an NCAA regional.
5. Texas A&M (27-15, 12-9)
Jim Schlossnagle’s team has come on like gangbusters in the West and find themselves tied for 2nd, still within range of Arkansas coming down the league’s stretch. The No. 14 Aggies haven’t lost a series in a month, and they get to finish their schedule by hosting South Carolina and Mississippi State and then playing a final series at Ole Miss.
4. Auburn (31-14, 12-9)
Yes, the No. 21 Tigers lost their series with Tennessee. But they won a game in Knoxville, were smack in the middle of the finale, and didn’t go down easily, which is something not many teams can claim. A big series at home against Arkansas is coming up. If Auburn could pull that one out, they finish by hosting Bama and traveling to Kentucky — and the Tigers could manage to snag that SEC West crown.
3. Georgia (30-14, 12-9)
No. 22 Georgia dropped its series to LSU but still has a 2-game lead on Vandy for 2nd place in the East (although UT is almost officially out of reach now). The Bulldogs’ league-worst 7.03 ERA in league play is concerning, particularly in their trip to Knoxville in 2 weeks. That falls in between very winnable series matchups at home with Vandy and Mizzou, so UGA shouldn’t be going anywhere in the league standings, but getting Jonathan Cannon ready to roll would be pivotal.
2. Arkansas (34-10, 14-7)
No. 5 Arkansas remains 2 games up on the 3-team pack of 2nd-place followers, hoping to extend its edge at Auburn this coming weekend. If Arkansas wins that series, with remaining matchups at home against Vandy and at Bama, they can lock down the SEC West. That said, ESPN analyst Kyle Peterson said after the Hogs pulled off a close series with Ole Miss that he didn’t see much difference in the two teams offensively. The Razorbacks are 11th in the SEC in runs scored in league play … but they’re also 2nd in the league in ERA in those games, and it will be the pitching staff that will have to carry them down the stretch.
1. Tennessee (40-4, 19-2)
With a 7-game lead in the East with 9 games to play, the No. 1 Vols have all but locked up a top seed and a regional hosting spot. That said, Auburn gave them perhaps their toughest series of the season to date. It’s all about the postseason at this point.
7 games down with 9 to go…looks like we have RockyToppers right where we want them…
well hump you never know. The regular season title looks pretty locked up. but then its a clean slate as we all start all over again in the tourney and then another clean slate as we all start all over again in the regionals. Then another in the supers and another in the CWS. We will have to remain focused, brash and smart to keep it rolling. Time will tell. I expect a tough series from the Flea ridden flat nosers.
Your Vols look very very good. If it ain’t us, I hope they take it all…if only our pitcher Williams and our SS Metchie hadn’t gotten hurt (:
Vandy’s arms and UGAs bats would be a formidable team!
Tennessee has all but locked up the East, and probably in all likelihood win the SEC regular season championship. The West is beating itself up, and the SEC West championship may not be decided until the last weekend depending on how the Hogs play. Along with them, Auburn, LSU, and A&M could still win it.
I’m kinda hoping for an LSU sweep of Bama, and I’m quite sure the Hogs/Auburn series will be quite entertaining and riveting.
kinda hoping?
Under statement of the season…
” That said, Auburn gave them perhaps their toughest series of the season to date. ”
I’ll take it.
The key word is perhaps…
If you watched the series it was indeed the toughest and closest of the season.
Also, on par for Tennessee to have a coach/fans that show their a** when they’re losing. Tom Vitello’s little pouting tantrum was a lot for a team that plays with so much swagger, and the fans cheering when Burkhalter and Mullins got hurt was a bad look.
Worst fans in the SEC, in both baseball and football.
I can remember a time when UT fans threw golf balls at Lane Kiffin. Oh, and a mustard bottle.
UT fans act like they’re some sort of sports royalty.
Bayou,
I can remember when UT went to Baton Rouge (I think after Katrina?), and Rick Clausen led a miraculous comeback victory for the Vols. Before the game, some LSU fans attacked the UT cheerleaders’ bus breaking windows. Let’s agree all teams have their jerk fans.
The alleged injury cheering somehow isn’t on the video clips posted from the game and by multiple fan sources at the game. Rather-it came from a single Facebook allegation that went unsupported by evidence and was in corroborated by other fans.
It was a good series but UT did more to lose game two than Auburn did to win it. When you have pitching depth as much as TN, no reason to leave your guy in for an extra inning so they can homer off him. Had Tony taken him out in the 5th with all signs indicating he should have, cost TN. You put in his reliever in inning no Auburn homers. Nearly happened again in game three. If we put in Joyce in an inning earlier once again, no Auburn homer happens. If there is one vulnerable area for concern with TN, its relieving starters too late. Elander never had this issue when Tony was out for 4 games. Can’t afford to do this down the road. Whenever the hitters start getting pieces of all your pitches even near the zone and your guy isn’t throwing strikes and walking guys, gotta take them out. Redmond Walsh was done and boom! All the signs were there.
wow! not gwhite is questioning the decision making of TV and his handle on the baseball team.
all this time, i knew you were a homer and provided little value in your criticisms of other teams and coaches….but you’ve outdone yourself in your above post. bravo.
vitello better get his act together
oskie — The booing was reported in several places by people who were there. As for the Facebook post, I assume you’re referring to the one by Rachel Mullins. She is a Tennessee resident and lifelong Vols fan, so she has absolutely no reason to lie about this. Her disappointment in the Vol fans is what prompted her to write the post to begin with.
Jack-I’ve viewed game clips with audio from when each pitcher left and don’t hear this booing. Additionally, I’ve seen statements from people who have been verified as attending who claim otherwise. Could it have happened-sure-but it’s strange that in a stadium full of people with phones and the large gathering of people the mother said came with here that nobody filmed the alleged behavior from both fans and staff (as she alleged both). Clearly the mother (ballgame parents aren’t the most rational folks) and other people who are Auburn supporters are biased, as are the TN folks. This is why video would be the unbiased report and numerous video evidence around the pitchers leaving the game indicates nothing to support her allegations. It’s sad that a certain Alabama regional paper published a disinformational fake news piece stating the allegations had merit without evidence other than the said allegations. Even click bait central SDS wouldn’t touch that one. If you have evidence that’s not biased that can be relied upon, let’s see the receipts.
“The key word is perhaps…”
Perhaps you should show a little humility. I’m old enough to remember when UT fans were crowing on about how UT basketball was a final four team.
Until UT wins it all you should keep your trap shut.
Oh, so your like a year old.. lol Why are you still posting re re? You been wrong about TN for months now lol. You should shut your mouth if your team isn’t even playing after the tournament..
UT’s major problem the rest of the way is the same issue that Arky had last year.
If you win so much early, it makes the season kind of feel like a waste if you don’t finish the job. Pressure builds as a result. If UT stays loose, they should be fine.
I agree. That is the same thing that happened to UT basketball this year. It might be good to lose a few down the stretch to get a dose of reality. BUT I would rather win every one of them and win the CWS, too. That’s not too much to ask, is it? ;)
From a hitting and pitching standpoint, LSU should be solidly in third in the conference. But, defense matters, and we are solidly the worst fielding team in the conference. Three more errors tonight. At least we keep it interesting.
it really is a logjam of about 5 teams for the #3 spot. aub, a&m, lsu, vandy & uga. it’ll be interesting to see who in that group ends up hosting a regional
How did that Arkansas vs Missouri State game pan out?