Opponent Power Rankings: Week 12

BOL's weekly power ranking of Alabama's 12 opponents for the 2012 season.

Les Miles thinks LSU fans should kiss his two-loss team on the mouth. And you're surprised how?

1.] Texas A&M (Nov. 10: A&M 29, UA 24)
Last week: 1
Losses by Kansas State and Oregon helped Johnny Manziel's Heisman chances but damaged the Aggies' hopes of a BCS bowl.
Up next: vs. Missouri (5-6, 2-5), Saturday, 6 p.m. CT/ESPN2.

2.] LSU (Nov. 3: UA 21, LSU 17)
Last week's ranking: 2
Les Miles' post-Ole Miss press conference has gotten more views than a Bourbon Street Drag Queen. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Up next: at Arkansas (4-7, 2-5), Friday, 1:30 p.m. CT/CBS.

3.] Michigan (Sept. 1: UA 41, UM 14)
Last week: 3
Wolverines (8-3) look to tattoo undefeated Buckeyes this week. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Up next: at Ohio State (11-0), Saturday, Noon ET/ABC.

4.] Mississippi State (Oct. 27: UA 38, MSU 7)
Last week: 4
State (8-3, 4-3) will get all it wants from rival Rebels this week, which is another way of saying ...
Up next: at Ole Miss (5-6, 2-5), Saturday, 6 p.m. CT/ESPNU.

5.] Ole Miss (Sept. 29: UA 33, Ole Miss 14)
Last week: 6
... I've got the Rebels (5-6, 2-5) knocking off State in Egg Bowl.
Up next: vs. Mississippi State (8-3, 4-3), Saturday, 6 p.m. CT/ESPNU.

6.] Missouri (Oct. 13: UA 42, MU 10)
Last week: 5
Tigers (5-6, 2-5) need win in College Station this week to become bowl eligible. Translation: it's officially basketball season in Columbia.
Up next: at Texas A&M (9-2, 5-2), Saturday, 6 p.m. CT/ESPN2.

7.] Arkansas (Sept. 15: UA 52, Arkansas 0)
Last week: 7
It all went horribly wrong for the Razorbacks (4-7, 2-5), who find themselves in an increasingly crowded coaching market.
Up next: vs. LSU (9-2, 5-2), Friday, 1:30 p.m. CT/CBS.

8.] Tennessee (Oct. 20: UA 44, UT 13)
Last week's ranking: 8
As part of his buyout, Derek Dooley receives all expenses paid trip back to Ruston.
Up next: vs. Kentucky (2-9, 0-7), Saturday, 12:21 p.m. ET/SECN.

9.] Florida Atlantic (Sept. 22: UA 40, FAU 7)
Last week: 9
Owls (3-8) fell to rival Florida International in a game delayed by weather.
Up next: vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (6-4), Saturday, Dec. 1, 3 p.m. ET.

10.] Western Kentucky (Sept. 8: UA 35, WKU 0)
Last week: 10
Second-half slide continues for Hilltoppers; Louisiana-Lafayette hands WKU fourth loss in last five games.
Up next: vs. North Texas (4-7), Saturday, Noon CT/ESPN3.

11.] Auburn (Tuscaloosa, Nov. 24)
Last week: 11
If not for a historic comeback in 2010, Tigers would be looking at five straight losses to rival Crimson Tide. As it is, 1-3 mark against UA will likely cost Gene Chizik his job. An on-going NCAA investigation may end up costing him his buyout.
Up next: at Alabama (9-1, 6-1), Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT/CBS.

12.] Western Carolina (Nov. 17: UA 49, WCU 0)
Last week: 12
Losers of ten straight games, the 2012 Catamounts (1-10) will always have Mars Hill. Oh, and what's left after expenses of the $475,000 it picked up last weekend, too.
Up next: Season complete.