SEC Power Rankings: Auburn rises after first SEC win under Hugh Freeze
This week four teams were off once again and only five conference games were played. Georgia stays at the top, Tennessee is still in the chase behind them and Auburn finally gets their first conference win of the year. Let's get to the rankings.
1. Georgia (previous 1)
Georgia traveled to Jacksonville for their annual clash with Florida. Despite an initial "chomp" from the Gators, the Dawgs quickly subdued and skinned them to make alligator handbags and shoes. The 43-20 victory was Georgia's third straight in the series and continues their 24 game win streak overall. The Dawgs welcome the 7-1 Missouri Tigers to Athens this week in a battle for first place in the East Division.
2. Alabama (previous 2)
The Crimson Tide enjoyed an off week in preparation for their annual rivalry with LSU this week. Jalen Milroe will look to continue his improved play when the Tigers come to town, but Bama defense will have their hands full with Jayden Daniels at the helm for LSU. The winner will take over first place in the West Division.
3. LSU (previous 3)
LSU also had the week off in preparation for the trip to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide. LSU has not been nearly as impressive on the road this year, with only one fully convincing win away from Death Vally in 2023 and that was to a 1-4 in conference Mississippi State squad. The Tigers better bring their best to have a shot.
4. Missouri (previous 4)
The Tigers were also off this weekend in preparation for the trip to Athens this week to take on the Georgia Bulldogs. A win here would be huge for Mizzou, especially with games against Tennessee and Florida on the horizon.
5. Ole Miss (previous 5)
Ole Miss wasn't off this weekend, but may as well have been playing a hapless Vanderbilt Squad. The Rebels rolled over the Commodores 33-7 and now turn their attention to Texas A&M. The Aggies ride into Oxford for a High Noon showdown Saturday. Ole Miss really needs a win to stay alive in the West.
6. Tennessee (previous 6)
Tennessee had their struggles with a feisty Kentucky team in Lexington. After taking a 23-17 lead to the locker room, the Vols were able to hang on to that six pint margin through the second half wining the game 33-27. Tennessee goes out of conference this week when they welcomes the UConn Huskies to Knoxville.
7. Texas A&M (previous 8)
Jimbo Fisher could not afford to lose this game, and it didn't look good for him when the Gamecocks held the Aggies scoreless in the first quarter and led 7-0. A&M found their footing in the second though, exploding for 21 unanswered points and went on to win 30-17. The Aggies face Ole Miss in Oxford this Saturday.
8. Kentucky (previous 9)
The Wildcats were hoping for a big win when the Vols came to town, but like so many times before they fought hard only to come up short in the end. After starting the season 5-0, UK has suffered three straight losses and and the earlier hopes of a historic season have now become thoughts of what might have been. The Cats should get a much needed this week when they travel to Starkville to tangle with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
9. Florida (previous 7)
Florida was looking to their annual game with Florida as a measuring stick to see how far they've come under Billy Napier. The answer is not far enough. Despite and early TD, the Gators were never really in this game. Florida now looks to get back on track this week as they host a really bad Arkansas team.
10. Auburn (previous 12)
Who was this team masquerading as the Auburn Tigers? The offense finally clicked against Mississippi State. Payton Thorne passed for 230 yards and 3 TD's going 20/26 for a 76.9% completion percentage. Saturday’s game could mark the start of four consecutive wins. If so, the finale verse the Tide could at least be entertaining. But nothing seems to come easy for this group at Auburn.
11. South Carolina (previous 11)
The Gamecocks were looking to get a big road win in College Station, but the Aggies were having none of it. At 2-6, a season of promise has become a bitter disappointment to the Gamecock faithful. South Carolina will have to win out to become bowl eligible, but it's not completely out of the question as they go out of conference this week as they host Jacksonville State and then welcome Vandy, Kentucky and Clemson to Columbia in the following weeks.
12. Mississippi State (previous 10)
Mississippi State made the trip to Auburn Saturday and ran into an Auburn Tigers squad that was not known to exist. The Bulldogs were never really a threat to win the game, but they did make it interesting in the second half. The Bulldogs look to become bowl eligible in the next few weeks starting with a home game against a Kentucky team looking to get back in the win column.
13. Arkansas (previous 13)
Arkansas had a much needed week off. After firing their offensive coordinator last week, it came at a good time. Will that really help? Doubtful. At this point in the season there are not a whole lot of changes that can be made. Add a tough road trip to Gainesville to take on a wounded Florida team and it doesn't look good for the Razorbacks.
14. Vanderbilt (previous 14)
Vandy traveled to Oxford to take on Ole Miss and were quickly run out of town by a score of 33-7. It doesn't get much better for them this week, as they return home to face an Auburn team that has suddenly found an offense to go with a stout defense. The rebuild has a very, very long way to go in Nashville.
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