SEC Power Rankings: Shakeup among bottom half of SEC

The shakeup this week is among the worst teams in the league.

Author:
Steve Simpson
Publish date:
Oct 23, 2023 1:26 PM EDT

In this story:

Auburn Tigers

Five of the SEC's 14 teams were off this week, so there were only five games that impacted the rankings. Most of the movement this week was in the bottom half of the conference as five teams are bumbling and stumbling their way to that dreaded last spot. To say this is a down year for the conference would be an understatement at this point. Here are this week's power rankings.

1. Georgia (previous 1)

The Bulldogs enjoyed an off week as they prepare to take on the Gators next week in Jacksonville. Will the absence of Brock Bowers hinder Georgia's offense? the Bulldogs have recruited at a high level for many years so it’s “next man up” for UGA

2. Alabama (previous 2)

Things did not look good for the Tide against Tennessee, as they struggled on offense and trailed Tennessee 20-7 at the half. Alabama came out of the locker room for the second half with the intent to do some damage and that they did, outscoring the Vols 27-0 in the final 30 minutes en route to a 34-20 victory. The Tide is off this week before they host LSU on November 4.

3. LSU (previous 3)

The U.S. Army from West Point invaded Death Valley and was mercilessly subdued by the Tigers 62-0. LSU gets an off week before they travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide.

4. Missouri (previous 6)

The Tigers continue a turnaround season that has exceeded anyone’s expectations outside of Columbia. Mizzou pounded South Carolina 34-12 and now gets an off week before a program defining trip to Athens. A win there and not only would the college football world stare in disbelief – but the Tigers would be in the driver’s seat for a trip to the conference title game. Who saw this coming? Even if Mizzou falls to Georgia, a 10-win regular season would still be very much within reach. The sky is the limit for Missouri at this point.

5. Ole Miss (previous 5)

The Rebels traveled to Auburn over the weekend and beat the Tigers 28-21, overcoming the crowd and mystique of Jordan-Hare for only the fourth time in series history and back to back wins over Auburn for the first time in 71 years. Normally, that would be a sign that Ole Miss has taken that next step, but while this is a historically good Ole Miss team, the Auburn team they beat is historically bad. We won't know how good this edition of Ole Miss is until they take on Georgia in a few weeks. The Rebels are back home in Oxford this week for a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores.

6. Tennessee (previous 4)

Tennessee rode a wave of momentum into Tuscaloosa and a 20-7 halftime lead over Alabama. Unfortunately, the Tide turned and that wave came crashing down on the Vols as Alabama held them scoreless in the second half while racking up 27 points on Tennessee's defense for the 34-20 win. The Vols will regroup and look to get back on track this week against the Kentucky Wildcats.

7. Florida (previous 7)

The Gators took a week off in preparation for the annual rivalry with the Georgia Bulldogs in Jacksonville. Can the Gators pull the upset and get the inside track to Atlanta? Tune in Saturday to find out.

8. Texas A&M (previous 8)

The Aggies were also off this week as they were preparing to host South Carolina. Some may say this isn't a big game given South Carolina's struggles, but lose it and Jimbo Fisher will start looking for an ice tub to soak his seat.

9. Kentucky (previous 9)

The Wildcats were idle this week as they look forward to their annual rivalry with Tennessee. This game is important for both teams as the winner will have an excellent shot at a New Year’s Day bowl, the loser will likely end up with at least 4 losses and see a promising season turn sour.

10 Mississippi State (previous 13)

The Bulldogs moved up three spots this week after traveling to Fayetteville and subduing the Hogs 7-3 in a defensive struggle that harkened back to the old days of college football. They are on the road again next week as they travel to Auburn to tangle with some grumpy and frustrated Tigers.

11. South Carolina (previous 10)

You could say the turning point for this season was halftime at Samford Stadium on September 16. USC was up 14-3 against the 2 time defending national champs and the smell of upset was in the air. UGA preceded to shut out the Gamecocks the rest of the way and pulled away for the hard-fought win. Since then, South Carolina did outlast Mississippi State in a shootout at Brice-Williams, but other than that…three straight losses. Saturday was no different as Missouri's three headed monster – Brady Cook, Cory Shrader, and Luther Burden III – did pretty much whatever they wanted all day. The Tiger defense held Spencer Rattler to 217 yards, a pick and no scores in a 34-12 loss. Bowl eligibility for USC really depends on getting a win at College Station next Saturday.

12. Auburn (previous 12)

Auburn's inability to generate any kind of a consistent offense has hampered the efforts of a stout defense all season. The trend continued Saturday night in Jordan-Hare as the QB Shuffle failed to produce too few positive results and the Tigers squandered a chance to beat a ranked Ole Miss team. Where Auburn goes from here is anyone's guess. The schedule is more favorable down the stretch, save the Iron Bowl, but with this group of Tigers, there are no guarantees and nothing seems to come easy for them. They'll host Mississippi State Saturday as they try to get their first conference win of the Hugh Freeze era.

13. Arkansas (previous 11)

Arkansas' offensive coordinator Dan Enos is out and Sam Pittman could be next, if the Razorbacks don't get something going to end the season. They get a much needed off week to get ready for their game against the Florida Gators November 4. At 2-6 on the season, a loss there and any hope of a bowl game is out the door.

14. Vanderbilt (previous 14)

The Commodores were the last of five teams with an off day Saturday. It came at a good time as they will travel to Oxford Saturday to take on a good Ole Miss team. A loss to the Rebels and any remote shot at a bowl game is gone.