Georgia Bulldogs: SEC East Power Rankings, Week 3

Sep 12, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Patrick Towles (14) hands off to running back Jojo Kemp (3) during the second quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t sleep on the Kentucky Wildcats.  No, I don’t think they are a major contender at this point in the SEC East, but have proven to me up to this point that UK should get to a bowl game this holiday season.  When the Wildcats have competency at quarterback, they are a competitive team.  Junior QB Patrick Towles looked decent enough in Week 2 to help UK knock off South Carolina on the road in Week 2, completing 21-29 passes for 192 yards and a pick.

The real hero for Big Blue Nation in their win over USC was RB Stanley “Boom” Williams, rushing for 107 yards on 14 carries.  We’ve seen HC Mark Stoops develop a strong rushing attack in Lexington the last few years that apparently travels well.  Kentucky enters their Week 3 matchup versus Florida with a great deal of momentum.  Should UK knock off the Gators, it would be the first time that has happened in my lifetime and Kentucky would move to 3-0 (2-0 in SEC play), possibly creeping into the Top 25 conversation.

Kentucky has an outside shot at an 8-4, maybe even a 9-3 season in 2015.  Running the football is the recipe for success in the SEC and UK is figuring it out and starting to beat people with it.  Kentucky will play Florida at home at 7:30 PM ET on the SEC Network.

Sep 12, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Treon Harris (3) throws the ball against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the East Carolina Pirates 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Florida looks like are back on track after the fiasco towards the end of the Will Muschamp Era in Gainesville.  New HC Jim McElwain has his Florida Gators at 2-0, about to head to Lexington for the Battle of SEC East Dark Horses in 2015 with the Kentucky Wildcats.

The Gators’ two wins are against a lackluster New Mexico State team and a one-score victory over one of the better non-Power 5 teams in East Carolina.  Florida may have more talent that Kentucky on their roster, but McElwain was “embarrassed” about his team’s performance against ECU.

McElwain had great success at Colorado State and is part of the Nick Saban Coaching Tree.  He should get Florida back to annual SEC East contenders in the next year or so, but a QB controversy between Treon Harris and Will Grier won’t make things easier for the new coach in Gainesville.

Though Florida should definitely go 7-5 or 8-4 this season, this trip to Lexington will be a tough one for a Gators team on the rebound.  Look for the winner of the UF-UK game to have a say in who wins the SEC East this year.  Florida will go to Lexington to take on the Kentucky Wildcats, Saturday at 7:30 PM ET on the SEC Network.

Next: SEC East Contenders