The SEC is a wild place, with teams’ chances at a division crown or playoff berth, or a coach’s job security, can vary widely week to week. Whose stock is rising and whose is dropping this week in the SEC East? SDS takes a look.

RISING

  • Derek Barnett. With fellow freshman Myles Garrett posting huge numbers across the conference and Tennessee’s early season struggles, Barnett hasn’t been talked about enough. The Vols’ star frosh hasn’t just been an explosive threat along the defensive line, he’s gained consistency as well. He’s up to 18.5 tackles for loss this season, second in the SEC behind Shane Ray, and he’s broken Jadeveon Clowney’s freshman sack record along with Garrett.
  • Gary Pinkel. At this point, no one can argue that Pinkel knows how to win games as well as any coach in the country. He consistently churns out awesome defenses, and this year he’s already managed to win 9 games with an offense that looks dreadful for long stretches, only to come alive when its most needed as it did against Tennessee. Pinkel has a chance to lead his team to a second straight division title on Friday against Arkansas.
  • South Carolina’s defense. The Gamecocks have been maligned all season thanks to their Swiss cheese defense, leading some to overlook their prolific offense. While they puttered along offensively for much of the game against South Alabama, the defense locked in against the Sun Belt opponent and for the first time all season didn’t allow a touchdown. It was the second straight solid defensive showing for Carolina, and a third would give the offense some breathing room against a banged-up Clemson team this weekend.

FALLING

  • Georgia’s East chances. Once again, it looks like a couple of losses that are puzzling in retrospect will cost Georgia a shot at the SEC Championship. The voters and playoff committee both view the Dawgs as the best team in the division, but losses to dysfunctional teams from South Carolina and Florida have Georgia on the outside looking in again.
  • Tennessee’s late-game execution. After an overtime win over South Carolina that saw the Volunteers complete a fantastic comeback on offense, UT was unable to pull off something similar against Missouri. Tennessee wasted its timeouts and took far too long on its last drive of the game, dooming the Vols when an onside kick fiasco didn’t go their way.
  • Kentucky’s bowl hopes. The Wildcats, slumping hard since October, have to go on the road and beat their bitter rival Louisville to secure bowl eligibility. Even after the week off, it’s hard to imagine the young ‘Cats pulling it together on the road.