Look to your right. See that fancy little sidebar. No, not that one, scroll down. Yeah, the one with all the SEC blogs. That’s all the members of the SEC Power Poll, hosted by Garnet and Black Attack. And yay for us (and you?), he offered us to be members!
Obviously you know our answer. What you don’t know is that instead of a traditional preseason ranking, all of the poll members will be ranking coaches. And today, we provide you our list. We’ll be providing our ballots every week during the season for the poll, so you can agree, disagree and generally just give your two cents. And here we go….
1. Urban Meyer, Florida
Why: Meyer is a great coach. He turned around Bowling Green. Then he took Utah to a BCS bowl, crashing the system. And then tada, he shows up at Florida and wins a national title. His team is a candidate to do it again this year. Meyer is the top coach.
2. Nick Saban, Alabama
Why: Yes, we know Alabama went 6-6 last year, missing a bowl. But this was a tough call between the former LSU coach who won a title and re-established a program and the current guy there. I got out voted and thus, Saban is second.
3. Les Miles, LSU
Why: College football is a here and now sport. And right now, Les Miles is a national champion. No way he doesn’t make the top three, he’s winning and winning now.
4. Tommy Tuberville, Auburn
Why: The man should have a 2004 national title. He’s always done well in Auburn, even though they try and run him out at every chance they get. Auburn is a respectable program and always in contention to win the SEC West.
5. Mark Richt, Georgia.
Why: Great coach. Great man. And he finally let his hair down last year. Is considered by some to finally get that title this year, but with all the injuries and off the field problems, I think Richt might wait a little longer.
6. Steve Spurrier, South CarolinaWhy: The only reason Spurrier is this high is because of his title and dominace at Florida. At South Carolina, Spurrier has been par for the course, never bringing the Gamecocks any additional success. 6-6 last year ain’t cutting it Steve.
7. Rich Brooks, Kentucky
Why: This is a Kentucky blog. Opponents may look at this and holler, but go ahead. He’s put UK back on the map, which you’ll notice this year. He’s recruiting well for UK. Things are going up from a program that was on probation when Brooks took it over. Oh and the other two people who helped rank these coaches are absolute homers.
8. Houston Nutt, Ole Miss
Why: Three SEC West title with Arkansas. Pretty good when LSU, Auburn and Alabama are in your league. Nutt can coach and I think that might be seen this year in a new location in Ole Miss.
9. Bobby Petrino, Arkansas
Why: Unproven in the SEC, but has a good track record as a SEC coordinator and did well at Louisville (don’t remind us!). This year could be ugly, but Petrino could rocket up the list.
10. Sly Croom, Mississippi State
Why: Mississippi State went to a bowl last year. Yipee. I really have no idea, other than I have to put Croom somewhere. I still don’t think the Bulldogs are going up anytime soon.
11. Phil Fulmer, Tennessee
Why: See Brooks, Rich. Homers had two out of the three votes in our group.
12. Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt.
Why: Someone has to be number 12 and sorry Bobby, you’ll be 12 until you go to a bowl. Close doesn’t count.
