In a week in which we had multiple top-10 teams squaring off, it was inevitable.

We knew that we were going to have some movement in the Associated Press Top 25. That’s exactly what we got, which ultimately benefited the SEC.

Here were 3 SEC takeaways from the latest AP Top 25:

1. Is Kentucky…underrated?

Here’s the thing.

I NEVER envisioned a world in which Kentucky would be a top-13 team at any point this season/decade. But here we are. The Cats rose up to No. 13 following Saturday’s convincing win against South Carolina. It’s one of the best stories in college football, and there’s no denying how surprising this start has been.

Having said all of that, is it possible that at No. 13, Kentucky is still underrated? Think about it. The Wildcats are 5-0 having beat 3 SEC teams, two of which were in the top 25 when they met including a road win at Florida. Actually, all 3 of Kentucky’s SEC wins came against teams that spent time in the AP poll this year.

Compare that to the 3 one-loss teams that are ranked ahead of the Cats:

  • No. 8 Auburn (beat No. 10 Washington, Southern Miss, Alabama State, Arkansas)
  • No. 10 Washington (beat BYU, North Dakota, Arizona State, Utah)
  • No. 11 Penn State (beat Pitt, Illinois, Appalachian State, Kent State)

I wouldn’t have a problem ranking Kentucky ahead of all of them. They’ve looked like a more complete team than all 3 of those squads, and they have more quality wins than each of them.

The Kentucky disrespect continues.

2. What do we make of Auburn?

I’m baffled that Auburn is still in the top 8 of the AP poll. That Washington win is obviously huge, but I’m not sure that it’s this huge.

Once again, the Tigers struggle to look like an elite team against inferior competition at home. Sure it was a weird game with the long rain delay, but Auburn should be able to stomp Southern Miss in any conditions. The same could be said for Arkansas.

Still, though, Auburn finds itself ranked 2 spots higher than last week after another disappointing showing.

Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

The weird thing is what happens if Auburn loses to Mississippi State on Saturday? Would the Tigers go from No. 8 to unranked? They’d be a 2-loss team with a loss to an unranked team. Surely that would warrant a massive free-fall from their place as the top-ranked 1-loss team.

Whatever the case, I think West Virginia, Kentucky and even UCF all have legitimate gripes about being ranked behind Auburn. Fortunately for us, the SEC West will tell us how good Auburn is in a hurry.

3. Florida finally deserves it

I was blown away that Florida earned a spot in the poll heading into the Week 2 matchup against Kentucky. The Gators, who were coming off a 4-win season having not beaten a Power 5 team since Sept. 2017, were not deserving.

But after consecutive impressive road performances, the 4-1 Gators absolutely earned the right to be back in the poll. At No. 22, Florida is finally fairly ranked, and dare I say with a quality loss to…Kentucky?

For the first time since 2016, Florida won a road game against someone who I felt was at least half-decent team. The Gators imposed their will defensively and ultimately knocked Dan Mullen’s former team out of the top 25.

Now, Florida finds itself with a prime opportunity to rise within the top 25 and take a huge step against LSU. If Florida can hand the Tigers their first loss, they could be back in the top 15 for the first time in the Mullen era. Oh, and the Gators would also have more wins than they did all of last year.

How quickly things have changed in Gainesville.