As various metrics are tabulated each week, from humans to computers, Phil Steele collects information from various sources around Las Vegas, including three casinos to develop his weekly Vegas power ratings.

As he noted, “This is not the AP poll but gives you an idea of how much teams would be favored over another team if they met on a neutral field.” With that said, four SEC teams are in the top 10 of the ratings, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Texas A&M.

Steele wrote that use these to get an idea of lines on upcoming games, and cautioned against putting too much stock in games already played.

Here is where SEC teams are in the latest ratings:

2. Alabama 137.96
4. Georgia 131.95
6. Florida 127.44
9. Texas A&M 123.84
21. LSU 118.31
25. Kentucky 117.85
27. Auburn 117.29
30. Tennessee 116.33
35. South Carolina 114.63
40. Ole Miss 112.81
58. Mississippi State 109.13
59. Arkansas 108.83
60. Missouri 108.60
109. Vanderbilt 94.66

Here’s Steele’s explanation about the ratings:

“Keep in mind just because a team beat someone last week does not mean they would be favored over them in the Vegas ratings. A couple of examples. Kansas St is 3-1 and beat Oklahoma outright and the Sooners are 2-2. The Sooners were -27’ in that game and these Vegas ratings say the Sooners would be -17 in a rematch at home this week. Last week Florida St beat North Carolina as a two TD dog. North Carolina would still be a 9 point favorite this week. Notre Dame is #3 in the AP poll but is only #10 in the Vegas rankings. Oklahoma St is the only undefeated team in the Big 12 but come in 3rd in the league in the Vegas Power Rankings. Coastal Carolina is undefeated and has been impressive and deserves to be in the AP Top 25 but they are just #71 in the Vegas power ratings.