How much can power rankings really change in a week?

One team made a significant move this week in our SDS power rankings: Texas A&M. After beating No. 15 Arizona State handily, the Aggies proved they are serious contenders in the SEC West.

RELATED: SEC Bowl Projections after Week 1

Here are the Week 1 power rankings, as voted on by our staff:

Note: () by each team indicates whether teams moved up, down or remained unchanged

Projected out of a bowl game

14. Vanderbilt Commodores (-)
13. Kentucky Wildcats (-)

According to our bowl projections, Vanderbilt and Kentucky are on the outside looking in during the postseason. The Commodores’ Thursday showing wasn’t too promising, although the defensive unit looked very good. The offense still has way too many questions, starting with the quarterback play of Johnny McCrary…Kentucky is an interesting team. The Cats’ defense struggled down the stretch, and the up-and-coming program struggled to put away Louisiana-Lafayette. What does that say about UK’s bowl chances? Eh, not much. It’s too early to tell how good this team is.

Need to see a few more games

12. South Carolina Gamecocks (-1)
11. Florida Gators (+1)
10. Mississippi State Bulldogs (-)

South Carolina’s defense finally has a pulse, thanks to a better pass rush and linebacker Skai Moore. The offense, however, is unlike Steve Spurrier. But credit Spurrier with doing what he has to in order to win games. The Gamecocks probably locked up a winning season with the win over UNC…Florida has an offense again, but it’s important to remember that New Mexico State was 2-10 last year. Regardless, one penalty and over 600 yards of total offense should excite UF fans, but the Gators are still a team that has a ways to go…Mississippi State looked about like everyone expected. The Bulldogs were somewhat sluggish on the road, and they have an underrated run defense and a questionable secondary. It looks similar to last season.

RELATED: 10 things we liked and 10 we didn’t about Week 1

In the division hunt

9. Missouri Tigers (-2)
8. Tennessee Volunteers (-)
7. LSU Tigers (-1)

Missouri dropped two slots this week. But it’s certainly nothing to get discouraged about. It has more to do with Texas A&M throttling a ranked opponent. The Tigers are going to be fine when they get healthy. Mizzou is one of the SEC’s most banged-up teams entering Week 2…Tennessee stayed at No. 8 this week. We all knew the offense would be pretty good, headlined by the running game of Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara, but the Vols’ secondary and pass rush needs some work. Bowling Green had its way against Tennessee’s cornerbacks, and help isn’t immediately walking through that door…Without playing Week 1, LSU dropped one spot. The Tigers play Mississippi State Saturday.

SEC West Trio

6. Texas A&M Aggies (+3)
5. Arkansas Razorbacks (-)
4. Ole Miss Rebels (-)

Texas A&M’s “Third and Chavis” defense seemed just fine, and let’s just say that John Chavis isn’t overpaid, okay? What the Aggies were able to do against Arizona State’s offense was something not many outside of College Station expected. There’s a new playmaker in town, too, and Christian Kirk looks like the real deal…Arkansas remains unchanged at No. 5 after Week 1. Brandon Allen’s stats of over 300 yards passing and four touchdowns has to encourage even the naysayers and doubters. The Hogs look like a complete team and very much like a SEC West contender…Ole Miss throttled UT-Martin, and it looks like the Rebels have found their quarterback in Chad Kelly. It’s hard to tell just how good the Rebels are after Saturday’s drubbing, but at least we know the quarterback position is solved for now. Assuming the Rebels’ quarterback play is efficient and turnover free, Ole Miss will be in the SEC West hunt all season.

RELATED: SEC Week 2 early favorites

SEC Favorites

3. Auburn Tigers (-1)
2. Georgia Bulldogs (+1)
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (-)

Had I told you the pass rush would return, you’d surely think that Auburn could jump to No. 1, right? Well, the offense somewhat puttered, and the Jeremy Johnson hype will cool somewhat, which may not be a bad thing. Louisville certainly isn’t a pushover, and that win may look better come November…Georgia jumped into the No. 2 slot this week after throttling Louisiana-Monroe. No, it’s not an impressive win, but to see Greyson Lambert execute the UGA offense was. The Bulldogs moved up this week based more off of how Auburn looked than anything…Staying strong at No. 1 is Alabama. The Crimson Tide’s running game is more powerful than many anticipated entering the season. Wisconsin was the perfect matchup, and after one week of play, Alabama is officially the conference favorite.