SEC Power Rankings: Georgia Loss, Ole Miss Win Shakes Up Top Nine

Aug 29, 2013; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mike Davis (28) rushes for a 75 yard touchdown against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

3. South Carolina Gamecocks

Record: 1-0

Previous Ranking: 4 (Trend: Up)

Last Week: South Carolina 27, North Carolina 10

This Week: at Georgia

Next Week: vs. Vanderbilt

South Carolina got a delayed win against North Carolina, after a long weather delay in the fourth quarter. The Gamecocks jumped out to a 17-0 lead after the first quarter and then seemed to put things on cruise control for the rest of the game.

This sets up a huge road game against the Georgia Bulldogs this week. The winner has the early edge in the SEC East while the loser’s season takes a quick turn towards disappointment. It is hard to find a game this early in the season that could determine the fate a of a division, but this is essentially what we have in this game.

How this game finishes could heavily rely on the matchup between Jadeveon Clowney and Aaron Murray. Both could end up being top five picks in the 2014 NFL draft, and both will be relied on heavily to make big plays for their team. The more Clowney can disrupt things for Murray, the better the chance South Carolina has a chance of pulling out the road win.