SEC Power Rankings: Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide Sit Atop Rankings Before Title Game

The 2023 regular season is in the books and here is where everyone stands.

Georgia and Alabama will face off in the SEC Championship game later this week, but the regular season is over. It was definitely a down year in the SEC. Most of the teams will be bowling, but the conference will not be able to fulfill all their bowl tie-ins due to Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Vanderbilt all failing to become bowl eligible. Here is where the teams stand at seasons end. 

1. Georgia (previous 1)

Georgia battled a feisty Georgia Tech team in Atlanta Saturday. The Dawgs fell behind early 10-7, but rallied to take a 21-13 lead at the half. Georgia scored 10 in the third and held on for a 31-23 win over the Yellow Jackets. It should be noted that UGA held out a number of players including Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey and RaRa Thomas who were all nursing minor injuries, but were available to play. The Dawgs and the Tide meet Saturday to decide the SEC Champion and a College Football Playoff Spot.

2. Alabama (previous 2)

Jordan-Hare Stadium has not been kind to Alabama over the years and Saturday night was no different for 59 minutes. Then in that last minute, facing a 4th and 31, last ditch effort, Jalen Milroe did the improbable and hit Isaiah Bond with the game winning touchdown pass in the left corner of the end zone. The Tide escaped with a win in a game they should have lost and kept their hopes of a CFP appearance alive. The'll face Georgia in Atlanta Saturday for the SEC Championship. 

3. Ole Miss (previous 3)

The Rebels finished off an historic 10 win season in the Egg Bowl last Thursday defeating Mississippi State 17-7. This is only the second time ever that Ole Miss has won 10 games in a season and both have come under Lane Kiffin. The Rebels will get a New Year's Day bowl game and that's a great season for this program. Can the Rebels take that next step and advance to the SEC Championship game next year? The task will be even more difficult than it has been with Texas and Oklahoma joining an already stacked league.

4. LSU (previous 4)

LSU hosted Texas A&M in Death Valley and found them selves trailing 17-14 at the half. The Tigers came back out fierce in the second half outscoring the Aggies 28-13 en route to a 42-30 win and finish 9-3 on the year. The Tigers should be going to a New Year's Day bowl after another solid season under Brian Kelly.

5. Missouri (previous 5)

Missouri traveled to Fayetteville to tangle with Arkansas in their season finale. The Tigers made mauled the Hogs cruising to a 48-13 victory. Mizzou was the surprise team of the year in the SEC. After going 6-7 last year Eli Drinkwitz's team improved to 10-2 and finished second in the SEC East behind Georgia. The Tigers should also get to play in a New Year's Day bowl game to cap off a fantastic season in Columbia.

6. Tennessee (previous 6)

Tennessee welcomed Vandy to Neyland Stadium Saturday for their annual match and the Vols made easy work of the Commodores with a 48-24 victory. Tennessee finishes the season at 8-4 which was disappointing to many fans. After going 11-2 last year folks on Rocky Top were expecting big things, but second half collapses in games against Georgia and Alabama prevented the Vols from taking that next step. They'll look to finish on high note going into the off-season with a win in a bowl game.

7. Texas A&M (previous 7)

The Aggies, led by interim coach Elijah Robinson, traveled to Baton Rouge over the weekend and put up a solid fight, but couldn't keep pace with Jayden Daniels and LSU. The Aggies fell to the Tigers 42-30 being outscored 28-13 in the second half. The Aggies have hired Mike Elko to replace Jimbo Fisher next season, but Robinson will get one more chance to lead A&M in their bowl game.

8. Kentucky (previous 10)

Kentucky played Louisville Saturday in their annual showdown and what a game it was. The Cats and the Cardinals battled back and forth throughout before Ray Davis scored the winning touchdown on a 37 yard run in the fourth quarter. With the upset, the Wildcats finished their season 7-5 and will make a bowl appearance for the eighth time under Mark Stoops.

9. Auburn (previous 8)

Auburn hosted Alabama Saturday afternoon in the Iron Bowl. Coming into the game off a really bad loss to New Mexico State, many didn't expect this to be a game. Hugh Freeze and the Tigers had other plans and promptly lined up and ran the ball through, around and over Alabama's defense for 244 yards rushing. Auburn's defense held the Tide to 192 yards rushing, which was well below their average and led 24-20 late in the fourth quarter. All appeared to be going according to plan until a muffed punt allowed Alabama one last chance to win the game and on 4th and 31, they did just that defeating the Tigers 27-24. Auburn, shocked and disappointed couldn't believe how this game got away form them. At 6-6 the Tigers made a one game improvement over last season and will be going to a bowl for the first time in three years, and have some great momentum on the recruiting front, but none of that will take away the pain of this loss and the opportunity that got away.

10. Florida (previous 11)

The Gators and Noles fought it out with two back-up quarterbacks in Gainesville. Florida, fighting to become bowl eligible with a win, led 12-7 at the half and 15-14 at the end of the third quarter. The Swamp was rocking and the Gators were not backing down, until they did. FSU outscored the Florida 10-0 in the fourth quarter to earn a 24-15 victory. The Gators and Billy Napier end the season 5-7 and will miss a bowl game for the first time since 2017.

11. South Carolina (previous 9)

Clemson paid a visit to Columbia to take on South Carolina in their annual blood feud and left with a 16-7 win. The Gamecocks trailed 10-7 after the opening quarter, but were held scoreless for the rest of the game. Shane Beamer's Carolina squad ends a disappointing season at 5-7 and misses a bowl game for the first time since he's been the head coach.

12. Mississippi State (previous 12)

After firing head coach Zach Arnett the Bulldogs went into the Egg Bowl led by interim coach Greg Knox. State put up a valiant fight, but in the end missed opportunities to pull the upset, did them in and they finally succumbed to the Rebels 17-7. MSU ends the year at 5-7 and will not be bowling as they enter the off-season with recently hired, new head coach Jeff Lebby.

13. Arkansas (previous 13)

Arkansas closed out the season with another demoralizing loss. The Missouri Tigers rolled into Fayetteville and mauled the Hogs 48-14. Hog fans weren't expecting a 4-7 season back in July, but that is exactly what they got. Surprisingly, Sam Pittman is being retained despite going 23-25 over his four year tenure. Expect some major shakeups on his staff and roster as next year he will be coaching for his job.

14. Vanderbilt (previous 14) 

The Commodores, with their loss to Tennessee over the weekend finish 2-10 and at the bottom of the conference once again. Clark Lea, in his third season is 9-27 as the Vandy head coach. Will he be retained for a fourth? Who knows? The issues in Nashville are much deeper than just who is the head coach, after all the Commodores have only had three seasons of six or more wins in the last 10 years under three different coaches. Time will tell.

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