Alabama Crimson Tide fall in Week 2 of SEC power rankings following questionable outing vs. USF

The Alabama Crimson Tide might be 2-0, but Saturday's win over USF raised more questions than answers for the Tide.

Sure it was a 24-point victory after the Tide washed out the Bulls in the fourth quarter, but those who watched, know the game was way too close for far too long.

Because of that, the Tide have slid in Bama Central on SI's weekly power rankings:

Alabama Drop from 3 to 6 in SEC Power Rankings

The Crimson Tide turned a 1-point fourth-quarter lead into a 26-point victory over the South Florida Bulls. Alabama's defense held the Bulls to just 2-18 on third down, allowing the Crimson Tide offense plenty of chances to break the game open.

- Joe Gaither, Sports Illustrated

Full Rankings

1. Texas (↑3) (2-0)
2. Georgia (↓1) (2-0)
3. Tennessee (↑4) (2-0)
4. Vanderbilt (↓2) (2-0)
5. Ole Miss (↑2) (2-0)
6. Alabama (↓3) (2-0)
7. Oklahoma (↓1) (2-0)
8. South Carolina (↑5) (2-0, 1-0)
9. Missouri (-) (2-0)
10. LSU (↑6) (1-1)
11. Arkansas (-) (1-1)
12. Kentucky (↓7) (1-1, 0-1)
13. Texas A&M (↑1) (1-1)
14. Auburn (↓4) (1-1)
15. Florida (-) (1-1)
16. Mississippi State (↓4) (1-1)

Takeaways:

Look anytime you're a 30-plus point favorite and you go into the fourth quarter up only one point and at home, there are going to be questions. Kalen DeBoer knows that better than anyone, and he admitted that the game was going to be a learning lesson for his squad:

"We talked down the locker room about learning the lessons about the things that didn't go right, but also understand that if we just keep fighting, good things can happen, DeBoer said after the game. "And in the fourth quarter, staying away from the penalties and turnovers, it's amazing what can happen. And so defense did a nice job forcing some field goals. Just as we went through the game there in fourth quarter, I think those were key. Us scoring touchdowns and finishing drives, other than the fumble, which was certainly unfortunate — a lot of things we need to clean up. Guys got to do a better job when they make a big play, got tuck it away. All the things we work on, all the things we discuss."

With their first real test slated for Saturday in Camp Randall, the Tide are once again heavy favorites.

Putting up a statement win on the road could see the Tide among the elite within the conference in next week's rankings.

Related: Alabama Football and Kalen DeBoer have found their next defensive superstar as they near SEC portion of 2024 schedule