Every Thursday, we rank the SEC and ACC teams in one power poll. The order of the SEC teams is based on our SDS Power Rankings and does not deviate.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF CONTENDERS

1. Alabama (9-1): The Crimson Tide moved five spots to No. 1 in this week’s College Football Playoff rankings after beating previously-unbeaten and top-ranked Mississippi State in Tuscaloosa last weekend. Alabama stopped the Bulldogs’ rushing attack in its track and forced Dak Prescott into three turnovers, likely ending his Heisman campaign. Nick Saban’s team has the inside track, if it wins out, on reaching the final four.

2. Florida State (10-0): Despite their 26th consecutive victory, this one a comeback rivalry win at Miami, the Seminoles remained at No. 3 in the CFP rankings. The selection committee’s holding Florida State back due to its strength of schedule and previous quality wins that now no longer look that valuable (Notre Dame, Clemson).

3. Mississippi State (9-1)
4. Georgia (8-2)
5. Ole Miss (8-2)

FIGHTING FOR QUALITY BOWL PLACEMENT

6. Auburn (7-3)
7. Mizzou (8-2)
8. LSU (7-4)
9. Georgia Tech (9-2)
10. Duke (8-2)
11. Texas A&M (7-4)

ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAVELENGTHS

12. Clemson (7-3)
13. Miami (6-4)

14. Arkansas (5-5): The hottest team in this group, the Razorbacks have given up just 17 total points over their last two SEC games, splitting contests against top-ranked Mississippi State and No. 17 LSU. Arkansas’ first league win in two seasons was much-needed for the program and especially head coach Bret Bielema. His team battles Ole Miss this weekend and travels to Mizzou for the finale, two ranked SEC teams with slim College Football Playoff hopes.

15. Louisville (7-3)
16. Boston College (6-4)

.500 TEAMS WITH 7-5 HOPES

17. Tennessee (5-5)
18. South Carolina (5-5)
19. North Carolina (5-5)

AVERAGE TEAMS STILL IN BOWL CONTENTION

20. Florida (5-4)

21. Virginia Tech (5-5): The Hokies snapped a three-game ACC losing streak with a win at Duke last time out, scoring the game’s final 10 points after trailing 16-7 with three minutes left in the third quarter. Two winnable games remain for a team hoping to reach a bowl game for the 22nd consecutive season under coach Frank Beamer.

22. N.C. State (6-5)
23. Pittsburgh (4-6)
24. Kentucky (5-6)

NOT ENOUGH DEFENSE

25. Virginia (4-6)
26. Vanderbilt (3-7)

MAYBE NEXT YEAR

27. Syracuse (3-7)
28. Wake Forest (2-8)