2023 SEC Football Power Rankings: Week 6

Three schools had off weeks and each division has a clear leader as we've reached the midpoint of the year.

Was it separation Saturday in the Southeastern Conference? It sure seemed like it as each division now has a clear leader with Georgia and Alabama apparently once again on a collision course for a date in the SEC Championship.

Tennessee, Auburn and South Carolina had off weeks but the masses were treated with five conference games to enjoy. It was a track meet in Columbia and tight games in College Station and Oxford as the season nears its midway point.

Forget preseason polls. Forget what happened last season. Disregard recruiting rankings and what these teams look like on paper. The only criteria considered in this season's BamaCentral SEC Power Rankings is what happens between the white lines during games.

Winning is rewarded and losing is punished in our 2023 Power Rankings, so lets get right to it as we react to six weeks of football throughout the conference. 

1. Georgia (-) (6-0, 3-0)

• The Bulldogs welcomed Big Blue between the hedges and sent the Cats home crying. Carson Beck's 389 yards passing keeps Georgia in the drivers seat in the SEC.

2. Alabama (↑2) (5-1, 3-0)

• The Crimson Tide defense appears like the class of the conference as Alabama gutted out a 26-20 win at Kyle Field to take control of the SEC West.

3. Ole Miss (↑2) (5-1, 2-1)

• The Lane Train is officially back on track after beating LSU and Arkansas in consecutive weeks. The Rebels defense held the Hogs to just 36 yards rushing and forced two interceptions to please the home crowd.

4. LSU (↑2) (4-2, 3-1)

• The Bayou Bengals put up 22 fourth quarter points to serve Missouri a little dose of reality and end their perfect season. Jayden Daniels had his Superman cape on, accounting for 389 yards and four touchdowns as the conference's top quarterback.

5. Missouri (↓2) (5-1, 1-1)

• The Tigers stood toe-to-to with LSU at home but came up short in a shootout at home. Eli Drinkwitz has his team looking dangerous but falls in our poll as his team ran out of gas against one of the best offenses in the conference.

6. Texas A&M (-) (4-2, 2-1)

• The Aggies took their best shot but weren't able to contain Alabama's passing attack at home, dropping its first conference game.

7. Kentucky (↓5) (5-1, 2-1)

• The Wildcats came back down to earth after an undefeated start to the year, losing 51-13 to Georgia. Running back Ray Davis was unable to replicate his big game from last week, rushing for just 59 yards as Big Blue converted on just 18% of its third down attempts.

8. Florida (↑2) (4-2, 2-1)

• The Gators showed once again they're formidable at home. Florida bounced back from last week's loss by beating Vanderbilt behind the strength of a balanced offensive attack. 

9. Tennessee (↓1) (4-1, 1-1)

• No game for the Vols this week, but they have a nice opportunity for a jump next week as they welcome the Texas A&M Aggies into Neyland Stadium.

10. Auburn (↓1) (3-2, 0-2)

• No game for the Tigers this week, but they have a nice opportunity for a jump next week as they hit the road to take on the LSU Tigers in Death Valley.

11. South Carolina (↑1) (2-3, 1-2)

• No game for the Gamecocks this week. The fighting Shane Beamers can get its season rolling again next week with a home game against the Florida Gators

12. Arkansas (↓1) (2-4, 0-3)

• The Razorbacks remain winless in conference play as the offensive line continues to be a problem. Sam Pittman's squad only tallied 36 rushing yards, gave up five sacks, allowed 10 tackles for loss and threw two interceptions.

13. Mississippi State (↑1) (3-3, 0-3)

• The Bulldogs ended its three-game losing streak by beating Western Michigan 41-28 at home. State's three win have all come at home, against the Broncos and against Southeastern Louisiana and Arizona.

14. Vanderbilt (↓1) (2-5, 0-3)

• It's tough sledding for the Commodores, losing their fifth game in a row this weekend in the Swamp. Clark Lea's squad converted just 10% of its third downs and went 0-3 on fourth down. Life gets no easier as the 'Dores welcome the Georgia Bulldogs next week.

2023 SEC Football Power Rankings: Week 5