SEC Power Poll: Rocky Top Talk Ballot

As is the custom, RTT's ballot for the SEC Power Poll is simply the results of the RTT computer rankings.  The full computer results and discussion follow below the jump, but here are the rankings:

1. Florida Gators
2. Alabama Crimson Tide  But the gap has closed considerably.
3. LSU Tigers
4. South Carolina Gamecocks
5. Tennessee Volunteers
6. Mississippi Rebels
7. Auburn Tigers
8. Georgia Bulldogs
9. Kentucky Wildcats
10. Arkansas Razorbacks
11. Mississippi St. Bulldogs
12. Vanderbilt Commodores
    

The Raw Numbers:

In visual format:

Some quick discussion:

• #1/#2 is so far above and beyond the rest of the NCAA, these two teams merely have to meet in Atlanta.  It's a fun discussion to ask which should be #1 (and I'm not going to suggest that this computer system is infallible), but it's blessedly a fairly moot point, as there are few landmines left on either schedule.  These teams are simply too complete to expect a loss (though we hope to hang one on Alabama, naturally).
• LSU is very vulnerable.  That #3 spot is up for grabs by any of the #4 - #8 teams if they hit a hot streak on the back stretch.  LSU is there only because of winning schedule, but their on-field performance suffers.
  
• Yes, Tennessee at #5.  The only below average mark for Tennessee is third down offense, although passing efficiency is admittedly average.  But the defense still gets great reviews and edges out Mississippi's middling performance against weak opponents.
• Arkansas improved their stock a long ways, but had a huge deficit.  You just can't go for that long without any defense and not have to claw your way back up.  If their recent defensive prowess holds, they'll shoot up pretty quickly in the next couple of weeks.  Arkansas is an illustration of how this poll does not regard the time at which a game is played; early games are equally weighted in comparison to late games.  While whether this is the best consideration may be debated, I believe it's at least closer to the best solution than the human voters' tendency to ignore early losses almost altogether - especially for the favored 'dynasty' teams.
• Vanderbilt - finally all alone.  It's quiet at the bottom.  Dark, peaceful, and quiet.  Nice ride while it lasted, though.  They have finally been shown the 'Dore to the bottom for good, I believe.
• Best Marks:  As always, green highlights indicate the best scores in each category.  Alabama's defense is riding very strong.  If their offense improves much on third downs, they'll extend their drives and really nail home an argument for first.  For now, they're actually measurably below NCAA average on 3rd down (on offense), which may be a key factor in the upcoming game.
• Worst Marks:  LSU again wins the Third and Chavis Award, which I almost feel bad for pointing out.  But their offensive marks are far more worrisome - well below average, which leaves them vulnerable to some significant losses coming up.  When they and Auburn play, it'll be a meeting of the resistible force and the movable object, as is also observed by Auburn's horrid run defense.