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ESPN’s Greg McElroy ranks the top four SEC football teams

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ESPN’s Greg McElroy ranks the top four SEC football teams

Jan 6, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; ESPN analyst Greg McElroy talks to the media during media day before the College Football Playoff national championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at George R Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy has his top four teams in the SEC ahead of Week 3. McElroy, who is an ESPN college football analyst, ranked his top SEC teams on the “Always College Football with Greg McElroy” podcast.

“This is just a power ranking,” said McElroy. “And what I think a team might be capable of as they move forward, so it’s also a little bit based on strength of record. Because it’s hard for me to, for example, put Ole Miss in the top four in the SEC when they haven’t played anybody.”

The Georgia Bulldogs are the No. 1 team in McElroy’s SEC power rankings, but considers the Bulldogs to be the best team in the SEC.

Greg McElroy’s SEC power rankings (top four only)

1. Georgia Bulldogs

Sep 7, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) passes the ball against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn ImagesSep 7, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) passes the ball against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Sep 7, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) passes the ball against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

McElroy and most other college football experts have the Georgia Bulldogs as the team team in the country. Georgia dominated Clemson in Week 1 and faces their first SEC road game of the season in Week 3. However, McElroy thinks Texas can compete with UGA for the title of best team in the SEC.

“I think that gap between one and two, in the SEC, got really close this past weekend with Texas’ performance on the road at Michigan,” said McElroy.

2. Texas Longhorns

Sep 7, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) passes in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesSep 7, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) passes in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Sep 7, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) passes in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Texas’ road win at Michigan is one of the most impressive wins this season. Quarterback Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns will host McElroy’s No. 1 team in the SEC, Georgia, on Oct. 19.

3. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) during Tennessee's Orange & White spring football game at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, April 13, 2024.The Knoxville News-SentinelTennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) during Tennessee's Orange & White spring football game at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, April 13, 2024.The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) during Tennessee’s Orange & White spring football game at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, April 13, 2024.The Knoxville News-Sentinel

“Really liked what I see from their (Tennessee’s) defense,” said McElroy. “Now, offense a bit of a work in progress, but they have the personnel and the pieces along both the offensive line, at running back and at wide receiver to make life a little bit easier for Nico Iamaleava.”

Tennessee’s 51-10 drubbing of NC State is one of the most impressive performances of any team this season.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

Aug 31, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) passes off the ball to Jam Miller (26) during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-USA TODAY SportsAug 31, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) passes off the ball to Jam Miller (26) during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 31, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) passes off the ball to Jam Miller (26) during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-USA TODAY Sports

“You’re going to say, well, they looked really, really rough last week against USF. Fair enough,” said McElroy. “USF made them look really bad last year too. This year, the big difference is they ran away from them in the fourth quarter and that showed growth.”

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Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and the Crimson Tide aren’t having too much of a drop-off from the Kalen DeBoer era. However, McElroy failed to bring up Alabama’s schedule. The Crimson Tide have not played a Power Four opponent yet just like Ole Miss and Missouri, so that’s not a great reason to rank Alabama over those teams.

This article originally appeared on Bulldogs Wire: ESPN’s Greg McElroy ranks the top four SEC football teams

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