SEC Power Rankings: Wildcats rise after defeating Florida
The first weekend this season to feature every SEC team facing a conference foe did not disappoint. Kentucky was the big winner this weekend, Auburn showed progress, while Mississippi State suffered another loss at home and Alabama moves back to the upper echelon of the league.
1. Georgia (previous 1)
Despite escaping a very hostile environment in Auburn with a win, this Georgia team is still a work in progress. This appears to be the most beatable team Kirby Smart has fielded.in the last three years, but a one man wrecking crew named Brock Bowers kept them in the top spot after taking down the pesky Tigers. The Dawgs host the up and coming Kentucky Wildcats in a Top 25 primetime showdown Saturday.
2. Alabama (previous 2)
Alabama is beginning to find itself and rolled over Mississippi State 40-17 in Starkville. They'll get another test this week as they head to College Station for a matchup with Texas A&M, which will be for sole possession of first place in the SEC West.
3. Kentucky (previous 8)
The Big Blue Nation are starting to look like contenders. The beatdown of Florida was so complete, the Cats deserved a big jump. Ray Davis ran around, by, through, and over the Gator's defense racking up 280 yards and 4 TDs. The biggest game of the season comes this week as Kentucky pays a visit to Georgia which will be for first place in the SEC East.
4. Missouri (previous 4)
The Tigers from Columbia stay at number for this week after a 38-21 victory over Vandy in Music City. Missouri welcomes a wounded bunch of Tigers from the bayou Saturday when LSU comes to Columbia. Can the magical season for Mizzou continue?
5. Ole Miss (previous 7)
The Rebels took down LSU in a wild shoot out 55-49 Saturday night at the Vaught. Jaxson Dart threw for 389 yards and Quinshon Judkins rushed for 177 on the way to a blistering 706 yards of total offense. The only blemish for Ole Miss was the defense gave up 637 yards to LSU. When your offense is that potent though, you can win some shootouts. Next up for the Rebels is another home contest with a bad Arkansas team.
6. Tennessee (previous 6)
The Vols took out their frustrations on the Gamecocks Saturday night in Knoxville as they took down South Carolina 41-20. Joe Milton III tossed for 239 yards and Jaylen Wright added 123 on the ground for Tennessee. A good win for the Vols going into an off week before welcoming The Aggies to Knoxville on October 14.
7. Texas A&M (previous 5)
The Aggies took care of business in Dallas Saturday taking down Arkansas 34-22. It wasn't easy and there is still a lot of room for improvement on this team as they head into a huge matchup with the Alabama Crimson Tide Saturday in College Station.
8. LSU (previous 3)
The Bayou Bengals defense is just not what it used to be and that couldn't have been more evident than Saturday night in Oxford. Ole Miss torched them for 706 yards of total offense. To be fair, Jayden Daniels and the offense put up 637 on the Rebels, but it wasn't enough to get the dub. LSU will lick their wounds and head into a major cat fight Saturday with the undefeated Missouri Tigers.
9. Auburn (previous 10)
A loss usually results in teams dropping a few spots. For the Auburn Tigers their 27-20 loss to Georgia combined with bad losses by some other teams allowed them to move up a spot this week. Despite being outmanned and putting up less than 100 yards through the air, the Tigers had chance to ties the game on their final drive. There are signs that Auburn is trending in the right direction as they head into a much needed off week. They'll get a chance to regroup, get healthy and correct some things before heading to Baton Rouge to take on a weary LSU team October 14.
10. Florida (previous 9)
The Gators looked more like the version that was blown out at Utah than they did the team that beat Tennessee. The Florida defenses couldn't contain the Kentucky offense as the Cats cruised to a 33-14 win in Lexington. The Gators hope to catch a breather and get back on track as they welcome The Commodores from Nashville to the Swamp this Saturday.
11. South Carolina (previous 11)
The Gamecocks were beaten soundly in Knoxville Saturday night. Normally a team with 3 losses before the end of September can safely be described in very unflattering terms, but all three losses were against ranked opponents. South Carolina gets a welcomed off week before stepping back into conference play when they host the Florida Gators October 14.
12. Arkansas (previous 12)
The Razorbacks are definitely in for a long year and Sam Pittman's seat may be getting a little warm. A 12 point loss to Texas A&M left the Hogs sitting at 2-3 on the year. Those two wins came against Western Carolina and Kent State. Not the type of season fans were expecting in year four. A brutal October awaits with a trip to Oxford this weekend to take on the Rebels followed by another road contest at Alabama and home game against Mississippi State before an off week to close out the month. More than likely, the Hogs are looking at a 1-2 record at best in October.
13. Mississippi State (previous 13)
The Bulldogs were unable to dam the the Crimson Tide and were deluged by Alabama 40-17 in Starkville. The stats were interesting verse Bama as the numbers looked somewhat competitive. State averaged nearly 5 yards a pop on the ground against the Tide, but as Mark Twain said, “there’s lies, damned lies, and then there’s statistics.” Bottom line, State is still winless in conference and has a long way to go before becoming relevant.
14. Vanderbilt (previous 14)
Vandy, what can be said about the Commodores? As usual, they out up decent efforts against their SEC foes, but never seem to be able to get over the hump. That was the case Saturday as Mizzou sunk Vandy 38-21. Vandy heads to the Swamp to take on the wounded Florida Gators this weekend. At 2-4 making a bowl trip is looking doubtful for the Commodores.
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