Every Friday, we rank the SEC and Pac-12 teams in one power poll. The order of the SEC teams is based on the Week 5 SDS SEC Power Poll.

The Pac-12 had a chance to creep closer to the SEC this weekend, as at least two highly-regarded SEC teams are guaranteed to lose. Then Oregon’s beat-up offensive line and porous run defense spoiled the opportunity, a boon for those hoping for two SEC teams in the College Football Playoff.

The SEC remains a better conference than the Pac-12, as exhibited by the combined power rankings. The SEC claims five of the top six teams, as the Pac-12 doesn’t currently have a real dominant team, and six of the top 10.

Each of these conferences will see significant attrition starting this weekend, as two of the SEC West games feature unbeatens, while Auburn, Stanford and USC all face potential pratfalls as well.

Depending on how that attrition falls, the SEC can start fantasizing about supplying a second team for the four-team College Football Playoff. A one-loss Iron Bowl loser, for example, could threaten to snag the fourth and final spot if top teams from other conferences fall.

It’s time for some shakeups in the Top 10, and the rest of the country will be staring hard at these two conferences, hoping for some loud thuds. But Oklahoma, Baylor, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Florida State are the main culprits in other conferences that the SEC needs to lose for a tw0-bid conference to become a likelihood.

FIGHTING FOR PLAYOFF POSITIONING

I used the heading “playoff bound” last week, but Texas A&M has invaded the top two of our SDS power rankings, so I no longer think that’s applicable. The Iron Bowl winner still looks like a strong possibility for the four-team College Football Playoff field. The Ducks failed to handle business against Arizona on Thursday and the Pac-12 no longer has a representative in this grouping.

1. Alabama
2. Texas A&M
3. Auburn

DRAWING NATIONAL INTEREST

This weekend easily could be the best in the history of Mississippi football, or it could be a giant disappointment. Either way, these teams are outside the top two in the SEC West. Speaking of which, after the Bruins managed to navigate several tricky fourth quarters to stay unbeaten, UCLA would suffer a huge letdown if it lost to a feisty Utah team before the home showdown with Oregon.

4. Mississippi State
5. UCLA
6. Ole Miss

WORKING THROUGH THE FIELD, NASCAR STYLE

Welcome, Oregon. You’re here a little early this year, aren’t you? Each of these teams suffered an early loss — none worse than the Trojans falling to Boston College on the road — and must now work their way to the front of a (very) crowded conference race. The Cardinal will get a big boost if it can knock off Notre Dame this week, while Georgia will get by Vanderbilt and then get a chance to resume control of the SEC East.

7. Oregon
8. USC
9. Georgia
10. Stanford

WINDOW DRESSING

These fringe Top 25 teams could be the third or fourth-best teams in most conferences. A struggling Tigers team with quarterback issues and trouble on the interior of the defensive line still is barely more than a touchdown underdog on the road against the defending SEC champions in Auburn. Washington’s defense is loaded with NFL talent, much like the Huskies on offense a year ago, while Arkansas probably can beat anyone in the SEC other than Alabama and Auburn.

11. LSU
12. Washington
13. Arkansas

LOGIC TWISTERS

The Tigers are the logical class of this field. Lose to Indiana at home? Score just seven points through three and a half quarters against a bad South Carolina defense? Score two late touchdowns in rapid succession and force a three-and-out in between to win the game? Anything’s possible. Expect a lot of close games for Missouri this season. The teams from Arizona can put points on the board in a hurry, but field flawed defenses, while the Gamecocks may be the biggest enigma in the country.

14. Missouri
15. Arizona
16. South Carolina
17. Arizona State

NOT FAR BACK, BUT NOT GETTING THERE IN 2014

These teams all have a hard ceiling this year due to major flaws. But trade three or four weak spots for three or four above-average starters and each of these teams would be Top 25 caliber programs. Washington State’s seven-point home loss to Oregon after most of the country was asleep a few weeks ago is the closest any of these teams are getting this year to beating a Top 5 program.

18. Florida
19. Tennessee
20. Washington State
21. Utah

LOVABLE LOSERS

These are the Bad News Bears of the SEC and the Pac-12. Mark Stoops, Mike Riley and Sonny Dykes are established, respected football lifers. The teams generally won’t embarrass themselves this season, and with an upset or two along the way, bowl buzz may get real.

22. Kentucky
23. Oregon State
24. Cal

WE BEAT UMASS

The Commodores have to wait until Oct. 11, but should claim a second win as Charleston Southern visits Nashville. Colorado, though, may not win another game. In fact, this weekend’s home game against Oregon State may represent the best chance. But hey, both of these schools managed to beat Massachusetts.

25. Vanderbilt
26. Colorado