SEC Power Rankings: Tigers drop, Rebels rise in week seven

Georgia and Alabama solidify the top spots this week.

Author:
Steve Simpson
Publish date:
Oct 9, 2023 11:13 AM EDT

In this story:

Auburn Tigers

There were so close games Saturday in SEC play Saturday. LSU at Mizzou, Alabama visiting Texas A&M and Ole Miss hosting Arkansas. Then there were some not so close games with Georgia and Kentucky and Florida against Vandy. Throw in the three idle teams this week and the power rankings had another topsy turvy week.

1. Georgia (previous 1)

Let the doubters call it what they, but Georgia-51 Kentucky-13 was a definitive statement about where this Bulldogs team is heading. That would be Atlanta for a date in the SEC Championship game. A visit to Knoxville is the only potential stumbling block left for UGA and the only ranked team left on their schedule. The Bulldogs travel to Nasville to take on Vandy Saturday.

2. Alabama (previous 2)

Alabama assumed their usual position at the top of the SEC West after disposing of Texas A&M. The Aggies were hoping to be a contender, but looked to be a pretender against Alabama. the tide still has some tough match ups ahead, Tennessee, LSU and Auburn, but they have the inside track to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. The Tide host Arkansas Saturday.

3. Ole Miss (previous 5)

Ole Miss hosted Arkansas in a wild one under the lights at The Vaught. The Hogs were scrappy, as they usually are, but in the end Ole Miss had better talent and more play makers. The Rebels will be favored in 5 of the last 6 games, but the loss to Alabama almost certainly locks UM out of the SEC title game as has been the case since the game’s inauguration in 1992. The Rebels get an off week and return to action against Auburn October 21.

4. Tennessee (previous 6)

The Vols were one of three idol teams this week as they prepare to host Texas A&M this week. The following week they head to Tuscaloosa for the Third Saturday in October matchup and then another road trip to Lexington to take on the Kentucky Wildcats.

5. LSU (previous 8)

In a battle of feisty Tigers, the Bayou Bengals escaped Columbia with an important victory for them. A loss would have had LSU sitting at 4-3 (2-2) and would have certainly eliminated any hope of repeating as SEC West champions. The win means there is still a chance. The Tigers host a wounded, but rested group of Tigers from Auburn this week, in a game that both need to win.

6. Kentucky (previous 3)

The Wildcats are a good team, despite the loss to Georgia. The just don't have the wealth of talent and depth to overcome the best team in the country. Still, at 5-1 Kentucky is in position to have an out standing season. Several upcoming homes games against Missouri, Tennessee and Alabama will determine how this season is viewed by Big Blue Nation.

7. Missouri (previous 4)

The Tigers came up short in their game against LSU Saturday, but don't sleep on this bunch of Tigers. At the midway point last year, Mizzou was 2-4…this year, they are 5-1, and that says a lot about the trajectory of this program. Missouri travels to Lexington this week to take on Kentucky in a match up of 5-1 teams with both teams having the chance to become bowl eligible with a win.

8. Florida (previous 10)

The Gators trounced Vanderbilt 38-14 Saturday in Gainesville. It was a a good way to get the taste of that bitter beatdown from Kentucky out of their mouths. Florida makes the trip up to Columbia, SC this week to take on the take on the Gamecocks.

9. Texas A&M (previous 7)

After another off season of high expectations for the Aggies and Jimbo Fisher, they look to be middle of the pack again after taking the "L" at home to Alabama. A&M's defense is their Achilles heel, particularly the secondary. How bad is it? They have made two opposing QBs look like Heisman contenders (Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke and Bama’s Jalen Milroe). They travel to Knoxville Saturday to take on a rested group of Volunteers, who are exceptional at throwing the ball, as are the following three opponents. If A&M was a stock – sell it now.

10. Auburn (previous 9)

Auburn got a much needed off week to heal up some injuries and try to find an offensive identity. The Tigers travel to Baton Rouge this week to take on LSU in a game that could be closer than many expected a few weeks ago. The Tigers' defense will be tested by a high powered LSU offense. Auburn will return home to face Ole Miss the following week.

11. South Carolina (previous 11)

The Gamecocks are also coming off an idle week, which is much needed going into a stretch that has them hosting Florida this week and then facing tough road trips to Missouri and Texas A&M. Barring an upset in any of those games, the margin for error goes to none if the Gamecocks want to go bowling.

12. Arkansas (previous 12)

Sam Pittman has got to be feeling some heat right about now. Although the Hogs have battled and fought valiantly in most games this year, they keep coming up short. The seven point loss to Ole Miss was the latest example. The Hogs have lost four in a row and three of those were one possession defeats. They will be hard-pressed to keep it that close this Saturday when they visit Tuscaloosa.

13. Mississippi State (previous 13)

The Bulldogs put an end to their three game losing streak Saturday with a 41-28 victory of Western Michigan. That's good for them going into a bye week as they prepare to travel to Fayetteville October 21, to take on Arkansas, which should be an entertain game between the the two cellar dwellers of the SEC West.

14. Vanderbilt (previous 14)

Speaking of cellar dwellers, Vandy seems to have a lockdown on the last spot in the rankings after year another loss, this time to the Florida Gators. The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Commodores from this point on either, as their remaining games are against Georgia, Ole Miss, Auburn, South Carolina and Tennessee. Maybe Jerry Stackhouse and the basketball team can bring some hope and enjoyment the Vandy faithful.