SEC Power Rankings after Week 8
Week 8 was a strange week in the SEC. These mid-October weekends always are. This is when many SEC squads have their off weeks.
We were without Georgia, Florida, Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Texas A&M this weekend. We’ll be without Mizzou, Alabama, Tennessee and LSU next weekend.
But off weeks are almost over. November will be here soon enough and we’ll have full slates of SEC action each and every weekend!
For now, though, let’s take a look at how the Week 8 results affected our weekly power rankings:
14. Vanderbilt (2-6 overall, 0-4 in SEC)
Previous ranking: 14
This week: OFF
Next week: at Ole Miss
First, the good news – Vanderbilt didn’t lose this week. Yes, that’s because the Commodores didn’t play, but it’s a positive nonetheless. This coming weekend against a tough Ole Miss team in Oxford doesn’t look promising for the Commodores as they search for their first SEC win. But crazy things happen in college football …
13. Arkansas (2-6, 0-5)
Previous ranking: 13
This week: 7-3 L to Mississippi State
Next week: OFF
Even Iowa scored more than 3 points this week. Arkansas has KJ Jefferson, who is supposed to be one of the top QBs in the SEC, and can’t do anything with him now that OC Kendal Briles has left. That’s a terrible sign. Sitting at 2-6 entering the off week is not where Razorback fans thought they’d be. It’s safe to say Sam Pittman’s seat is heating up at an alarming rate.
12. Mississippi State (4-3, 1-3)
Previous ranking: 12
This week: 7-3 W over Arkansas
Next week: at Auburn
Scoring only 7 points coming out of an open week is not a great sign. What Zach Arnett’s staff has done to Will Rogers is baffling. Arnett was way too proud of this team for a 4-point win over the second-worst team in the SEC. I’m not going to move the Bulldogs up in these rankings unless they win at Jordan-Hare this coming weekend.
11. South Carolina (2-5, 1-4)
Previous ranking: 10
This week: 34-12 L to No. 20 Mizzou
Next week: at Texas A&M
The Gamecocks’ losing streak against Mizzou has stretched to 5 years after Saturday’s disappointing effort in Columbia, Missouri. The first half was a real issue for South Carolina. If there’s anything positive to take away from this loss, it’s that the Gamecocks played better in the second half. But this team isn’t playing well enough to win SEC games so far and another tough road trip awaits in Week 9.
10. Auburn (3-3, 0-3)
Previous ranking: 11
This week: 28-21 L to No. 13 Ole Miss
Next week: vs. Mississippi State
The Tigers fought hard on Saturday night against a tough Ole Miss squad. Jordan-Hare Stadium was absolutely electric. What an atmosphere and what a game. The Tigers aren’t a great team this year, but they are a squad that no one wants to see on their upcoming schedule. They should score a win next week when Mississippi State comes to The Plains.
9. Kentucky (5-2, 2-2)
Previous ranking: 8
This week: OFF
Next week: vs. Tennessee
Kentucky had a week off to regroup from last week’s loss to Mizzou. Now the Wildcats need to get back on track offensively to live up to their potential. We’ll see if QB Devin Leary can play better down the stretch. He’s the key to Kentucky improving its bowl position over these next few weeks.
8. Texas A&M (4-3, 2-2)
Previous ranking: 7
This week: OFF
Next week: vs. South Carolina
This is a very important game for the Aggies. They’ve lost to Miami, Alabama and Tennessee. Not ideal, but those are 3 good teams. If Texas A&M struggles at home against a 2-5 South Carolina team, fans will get even more restless than they already are. This is a chance, coming out of an off week, for the Aggies to make a statement as they prepare for the stretch run.
7. Tennessee (5-2, 2-2)
Previous ranking: 6
This week: 34-20 L to No. 11 Alabama
Next week: at Kentucky
I won’t punish the Vols too much for a loss in Tuscaloosa, but there are some issues that need to be fixed. The first half is what the Vols are capable of, but they haven’t been able to play a strong 4 quarters in some of their bigger games. Next week’s trip to Lexington is suddenly a must-win game for both squads in the SEC East.
6. Florida (5-2, 3-1)
Previous ranking: 9
This week: OFF
Next week: vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville)
I was definitely a bit too low on Florida last week, and that’s my fault. I wasn’t super impressed with the South Carolina win, but after Tennessee lost at Alabama, I can’t keep the Vols ahead of the Gators based on Florida’s head-to-head win. The Cocktail Party should be interesting, as Georgia has looked vulnerable at times and won’t have star TE Brock Bowers available. Let’s see if Billy Napier came up with a winning game plan during the off week.
5. Ole Miss (5-1, 2-1)
Previous ranking: 3
This week: 28-21 W over Auburn
Next week: vs. Vanderbilt
A slight bump down the rankings for the Rebels, who did enough to win on the road in the SEC, but didn’t look great at Auburn. Yes, Jordan-Hare Stadium was rocking, but the Rebels made a few too many mistakes to keep their spot at No. 3 in these rankings. They’ll have a chance to regroup at home next Saturday against Vanderbilt. That could be a major get-right game for Lane Kiffin and company as they look to stay in the SEC West race.
4. Mizzou (7-1, 3-1)
Previous ranking: 5
This week: 34-12 W over South Carolina
Next week: OFF
Mizzou hits its open date with a 7-1 overall record, which almost no one would have predicted before the season started. Credit to Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz and new OC Kirby Moore for sticking with QB Brady Cook and trusting that he was the right guy to unleash the potential of WR Luther Burden III. RB Cody Schrader is incredible and transfer WR Theo Wease is a great addition. This team is fun to watch and a squad no opponent wants to see on its schedule.
3. LSU (6-2, 4-1)
Previous ranking: 4
This week: 62-0 W over Army
Next week: OFF
Wow. This offense is incredible. After Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. struggled at Arizona State on Saturday night, it’s time to start considering LSU’s Jayden Daniels the Heisman Trophy frontrunner. He’ll have a chance to have a Heisman moment on Nov. 4 at Alabama. The Tigers have a well-deserved off week ahead of that game in Week 10.
2. Alabama (7-1, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 2
This week: 34-20 W over No. 17 Tennessee
Next week: OFF
Trailing 20-7, it looked like Alabama was in real trouble. But this team showed heart and poise, coming back in the second half to win 34-20. That’s a convincing win over a ranked SEC squad. Jalen Milroe led the team back from a big deficit to score a convincing win. Can anyone hand the Tide an SEC loss? We’ll see what happens after the off week for Nick Saban and Alabama.
1. Georgia (7-0, 4-0)
Previous ranking: 1
This week: OFF
Next week: vs. Florida (in Jacksonville)
The Bulldogs get a well-deserved week off to get healthy. Now they’ll shift their focus to rival Florida as they head to Jacksonville for the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Brock Bowers won’t play in this game, but we’ll see who steps up to take some of that production for Georgia’s offense. My pick is Mizzou transfer Dominic Lovett, but this could be Oscar Delp’s time to shine, too.