Week five SEC power rankings: Lots of movement this week
It was yet another interesting weekend of football in the SEC. Still, no clearly dominant teams, so the pecking order has been rearranged again. Georgia is still at the top, and Vanderbilt is still at the bottom, but everything in between is entirely up for grabs week to week.
1. Georgia (previously 1)
Georgia remains at the top of the power rankings despite giving up 21 points at home to UAB. The Bulldogs may not be as good as some of their previous teams, but they are probably good enough to win the SEC again. They will have their first road test at Auburn this week, and Jordan-Hare will be rocking, and a very hostile environment awaits Carson Beck.
2. Alabama (previously 6)
The rumors of Alabama's demise are greatly exaggerated. Ole Miss came into Tuscaloosa feeling pretty confident about themselves and the chance to take down the Tide. Lane Kiffin and the Rebels left with a big "L." Is Bama back to being Bama? It's still too soon to tell, but they are 1-0 in conference play and make the short trip to Starkville to take on a bad Mississippi State team.
3. LSU (previously 3)
The Bayou Bengals escaped with a close 34-31 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks in Baton Rouge. Still, some questions about how good this LSU team is, but the win at home keeps them in the three spot this week. A challenging game awaits this week in Oxford as they take on the Ole Miss Rebels.
4. Missouri (previously 7)
The Missouri Tigers are still at number four this week. It's the Missouri Tigers, instead of the Auburn Tigers, after a hard-fought victory over another band of Tigers from Memphis. With a game at Vandy next week, Mizzou could be 5-0 when they tangle with some more Tigers on October 7, this time the ones from LSU.
5. Texas A&M (previously 5)
Despite a 17-point win over Auburn Saturday, the Aggies stay put in the five spot this week. Still, a lot of questions about this team, as they missed on a lot of opportunities to end the game early against the Tigers. Next week, may not provide any more answers either, as they take on a wounded Arkansas team.
6. Tennessee (previously 10)
Tennessee moves up a bit, primarily due to other teams' losses in addition to their 45-14 blowout of Texas-San Antonio. They welcome the Gamecocks from South Carolina this week.
7. Kentucky (previously 8)
Don't look now, but the Wildcats are 4-0 heading into their game with Florida this week. Kentucky handed it to Vandy this past Saturday, and that is good enough to move them up a spot this week. The showdown in Lexington with the Gators is the first of four consecutive games against ranked opponents (three of them at home). We'll find out how good these Cats are during this stretch.
8. Ole Miss (previously 2)
The nation got their popcorn Saturday to watch Ole Miss battle the Crimson Tide. Then, as they did the last time they visited Tuscaloosa, the Rebels fell apart in a 24-10 loss. What many thought could be a special season for Ole Miss looks to be more business as usual in Oxford. It won't be any easier next week as the LSU Tigers come to town.
9. Florida (previously 9)
Florida took down the Charlotte 49ers 22-7. While not exactly an impressive win, it was good enough to hold steady at number 9. The Gators travel to Lexington this week to take on an undefeated Kentucky team that is gaining confidence each week.
10. Auburn (previously 4)
Auburn's defense is pretty good. Auburn's offense is a dumpster fire. The 27-10 loss at Texas A&M could have been much worse had the defense not kept them within striking distance for most of the game and scored the Tigers' only touchdown. Auburn will try to find some answers this week, but it will be much more difficult against the top dawgs of Georgia.
11. South Carolina (previously 11)
The Gamecocks are pretty average and picked up a seven-point win over a bad Mississippi State team Saturday. They travel to Knoxville on Saturday for a challenging game against a Volunteer team that has been a bit up and down this year but hasn't forgotten that upset loss in Columbia last year.
12. Arkansas (previously 12)
After high pre-season expectations, the Hogs are mediocre once again. They fought valiantly in Baton Rouge but, in the end, came up short in the effort to upset LSU. They take on the Aggies this week in what has been an unusual series.
13. Mississippi State (previously 13)
Dropping a close one to South Carolina was surely disappointing for the Bulldogs. This season has not been what they had hoped, and it will only get more difficult from here on out as Alabama comes calling this weekend.
14. Vanderbilt (previously 14)
Since their 2-0 start, the Commodores are on a three-game losing streak after falling 45-28 at home to Kentucky. This week that losing streak will probably extend to four games as Vandy plays host to the undefeated Missouri Tigers.
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