SEC Baseball Power Poll: Week 12

First of all, apologies for this post hitting so late in the week.  In the real world, I've been in the middle of moving and quite a few other unexpected surprises. Combine that with working on NFL draft coverage, and I just really had a need for about 32-hour days instead of 24-hour ones.

This week's post will be a bit abbreviated, but it will be back on track next week.

Perhaps the most interesting thing in this week's poll is that the top and bottom teams managed to be unanimous.  For the first time, Missouri snagged all of the last place votes.  They had been trying hard, and they finally accomplished that goal.  Florida managed to pick up all of the first place votes, marking the first time there has been an unanimous No. 1 in the poll.

No. 1: Florida (7 First Place Votes) (Average: 1.00)

Previous: 1

Thoughts on the Gators:

The Gators are on a serious roll now, and looking like the best team in the conference. Who saw that coming back in March?

After sweeping Alabama, the Gators can clinch the East, and possibly the enitre SEC next weekend. Not bad.

No. 2: Ole Miss (Average: 2.29)

Previous: 4

Thoughts on the Rebels:

The Rebels have worked their way into the SEC West driver's seat and have a favorable schedule remaining. Can they hold on to the one game lead? I personally think they'll end up winning the division.

Dropping a midweek game to Southern Miss probably wasn't the result they were looking for, but the Rebels bounced back on the weekend by winning the series against Arkansas.

No. 3: South Carolina (Average: 4.00)

Previous: 2

Thoughts on the Gamecocks:

Just when I thought Carolina was going to put it on cruise control and coast towards a national seed, they went and lost a series to a struggling Georgia team.

Sooo maybe this isn't one of South Carolina's elite teams.

No. 4: LSU (Average: 4.14)

Last Week: 3

Thoughts on the Tigers:

Tough series loss on the road for the Tigers, but all 3 games in the series were decided by just a run. Expect they'll bounce back soon, but that probably cost them any chance at a national seed.

One crazy catch away from getting swept by Texas A&M. A strangely off weekend for the Tigers, who had been on a roll as of late.

No. 5: Vanderbilt (Average: 4.57)

Last Week: 6

Thoughts on the Commodores:

7 straight wins is a nice way to bounce back after losing a series to Arkansas, but most of those came against the bottom teams in the SEC. The 'Dores finish with Florida and South Carolina, and a national seed is still certainly in play depending on those results.

Quietly rolling along after a shaky start to conference play. That could stop soon as they end the season with series against Florida and South Carolina.

No. 6: Alabama (Average: 6.14)

Previous: 5

Thoughts on the Crimson Tide:

Oy.

A second straight series loss in conference play isn't ideal, but getting swept always hurts. The Tide just happened to run into a red-hot Florida team this weekend.

Understandably struggled against South Carolina and Florida as they hit a brutal stretch in their schedule. Need to have a strong showing next week against LSU if they want to win the West.

No. 7: Mississippi State (Average: 7.00)

Previous: 8

Thoughts on the Bulldogs:

That's one way to bounce back from a series loss at home to A&M, holding your opponent to 1 run over 3 games on the weekend.

Amazing what playing the last place team in the West does for morale. Knowing this team, the great performance in Auburn will be followed by a couple complete collapses against Tennessee.

No. 8: Kentucky (Average: 8.14)

Previous: 7

Thoughts on the Wildcats:

Just one win in their last 6 games after the road series win at A&M for the 'Cats, but they still find themselves in the Top 15 of the RPI. They finish the season with Auburn and Georgia, so they'll likely get back up over .500 in conference play.

Lost five of their last six, but still has a really good RPI at 15.

No. 9: Texas A&M (Average: 9.29)

Previous: T-10

Thoughts on the Aggies:

Talk about a huge 2 weeks for the Aggies. Resume now includes series wins over Florida, LSU, at Vanderbilt, and at Mississippi State. Definitely in NCAA contention again now.

Where has the team that almost swept LSU been all year?

No. 10: Tennessee (Average: 9.43)

Previous: T-10

Thoughts on the Volunteers:

The Vols rallied after a Friday loss to take the series from Kentucky, which was huge as they'd lost 3 straight SEC series coming into the weekend. 4 games under .500 in conference play isn't good, though, so work still to be done.Really nice series win over Kentucky.

Intriguing matchup coming this weekend against Mississippi State.

No. 11: Arkansas (Average: 10.14)

Previous: 9

Thoughts on the Razorbacks:

The Hogs couldn't bounce back from last weekend's series loss to Auburn on the road at Ole Miss, but they did avoid a sweep. Must-win series at home against A&M this weekend if they're to have any NCAA tournament chances.

No. 12: Georgia (Average: 12.29)

Previous: 13

Thoughts on the Bulldogs:

Where did that come from? The Bulldogs' already slim postseason chances looked dead and buried after being swept by Vandy, they pulled a series win over South Carolina out of nowhere. Still have a ton of work to do to get back in the NCAA picture, though.

Somehow took two of three from South Carolina. Could finish 4th in the East, which sure as hell surpasses my expectations for this team.

No. 13: Auburn (Average: 12.57)

Previous: 12

Thoughts on the Tigers:

Dead and buried. The Tigers now sit in the basement of the SEC West standings, 6 games out of 1st place. Getting swept by Mississippi State and scoring a total of 1 run in 3 games puts the nail in your coffin.

Scored ONE run in their three games against Mississippi State. I don't care who your trying to hit off of, that's just bad.

No 14: Missouri (Average: 14.00)

Previous: 14

Thoughts on the Tigers:

Carnage. All the carnage. Swept in 3 straight SEC series now. See ya next year.

Really working hard to cement their status as the worst SEC team in 2014. I guess all their good karma was used up during football season.