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 POTENTIAL
There’s a new hierarchy in the SEC outside the state of Alabama. Two of the nation’s six remaining unbeatens — Mississippi State and Ole Miss — are on a crash course toward the most meaningful Egg Bowl ever on Nov. 29 … Florida State’s repeat national title hopes will continue if the Seminoles can knock off fellow unbeaten Notre Dame on Saturday night in Tallahassee … Georgia’s still clinging to its slim Playoff hopes after last week’s win over Mizzou and the news of Todd Gurley’s indefinite suspension.
1. Mississippi State
2. Ole Miss
3. Auburn
4. Florida State
5. Alabama
6. Georgia
SOME TEAMS EMERGING WHILE OTHERS SLIP
The once sixth-ranked Aggies are sinking fast, but could re-emerge in the West race this weekend with an upset win in Tuscaloosa … A throwing hand injury to Deshaun Watson’s not what Dabo Swinney wanted to hear at Clemson, but Cole Stoudt’s a reliable placeholder until the fab true freshman returns around Thanksgiving … It’s strange to see a team 0-3 in SEC play inside the Top 10, but anyone who has watched the Razorbacks this season knows that Bret Bielema’s team is one that fights to the end …
7. Texas A&M
8. Clemson
9. LSU
10. Arkansas
BOWL TEAMS ENTERING CRUCIAL STRETCHES
Kentucky’s 5-1 and in serious contention in the SEC East, but Saturday’s battle at LSU will show us where the Wildcats truly are this season … Georgia Tech saw its unbeaten streak to start the season end last week, but Paul Johnson’s Yellow Jackets are still very much alive in the wild Coastal … Virginia’s in the best position, at least at the moment, to win the division but there’s trips to Florida State, Atlanta and Blacksburg remaining …
11. Kentucky
12. Louisville
13. Georgia Tech
14. Virginia
15. Florida
COASTAL CONTENDERS + TYLER MURPHY
Boston College has the best player on any of these three teams, but can quarterback Tyler Murphy win two of three against Clemson, Virginia Tech and Florida State? That’s what it will take to stay in contention at the end in top-heavy Atlantic Division … I’m one of the few that feels Duke deserves to be ranked after a 31-25 win at Georgia Tech. David Cutcliffe’s turned around this program and has made the Blue Devils respectable again.
16. Duke
17. Virginia Tech
18. Boston College
TAILSPINS APLENTY
Al Golden’s on the hot seat in front of half-empty stadiums while Steve Spurrier’s fighting off disappointment at a preseason division favorite … Pittsburgh’s lost three straight games and Mizzou’s offense appears to have run out of fuel … which one of these teams can finish strong? Maybe none.
19. Mizzou
20. South Carolina
21. Miami
22. Pittsburgh
TOBACCO ROAD STRUGGLING
N.C. State’s lost three straight games to open ACC play after opening with four wins over cupcakes … The love for Larry Fedora in Chapel Hill is decreasing by the day and a loss Saturday to Georgia Tech would be the Tar Heels’ fifth straight. This team was a preseason frontrunner in the Coastal but has looked anything but thanks to a putrid defense …
23. Tennessee
24. North Carolina State
25. North Carolina
26. Syracuse
UNFIT TO WATCH
Moving on …
27. Wake Forest
28. Vanderbilt
