A season defining week in the SEC, with teams getting their biggest wins of the season Saturday. The year may be far from over, but some teams have made statements, in positive, and negative ways.
- Georgia (No change from last week)
It was the biggest win of the year for any team Saturday. Georgia traveled to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and beat the Crimson Tide in a thriller. The Bulldogs are the last unbeaten team in the conference, and they are going to be the team to beat for the rest of the season. They have completed their hardest test of the regular season, and while Ole Miss awaits in November, the games will only get easier from here.
- Texas (-1)
In Texas’ defense, rivalry games are never easy to win, especially a rivalry like the Longhorns and the Sooners have. In reality, Texas couldn’t have tried harder to lose that game. The talent showed out, but quarterback Arch Manning threw 2 bad interceptions that ended up costing the Longhorns the game. Blowing a 10-point fourth quarter lead to a team who has had offensive struggles all year is hard to not move them down further, but Texas gets the benefit of the doubt with the strong wins it has already posted.
- Alabama (-)
The SEC’s top 3 had built a cushion over everyone else, so even with two of the teams dropping close games, they didn’t fall much. Alabama was just 3-points away from being the country’s top ranked team, and getting a staple win in 2026. They just couldn’t muster enough offense to beat the loaded Georgia Bulldogs. The game was close throughout, but Georgia just proved to be the better team, making all of the important plays. Saturday is the third one in October.
- Ole Miss (-)
Ole Miss was itching to get back on the field after giving up 52 points to the Florida Gators. They took out those frustrations against Vanderbilt, putting up 52 points themselves. Missouri is up next for the Rebels, who will be a problem with Ole Miss’ weak rush defense.
- Kentucky (+4)
A signature win for head coach Will Stein and the Wildcats, who continue their success against LSU at home. It was the second consecutive week that Kentucky won on a two-point conversion attempt in overtime to make the final score 35-34, but this one was the big one. Stein is one of the biggest risers in the country as he keeps adding program changing wins for Kentucky. They need to avoid a loss to Oklahoma, a tall task, to stay in the College Football Playoff race.
- Mississippi State (-1)
Kentucky’s big win over LSU causes Mississippi State to drop a spot, but after the bye week, the Bulldogs will get their own shot at the Tigers. Mississippi State’s rise to the top of the SEC after being the doormat is now being overlooked, and a win over LSU would put them in the thick of the CFP race while knocking the Tigers out.
- Missouri (-)
Another big win for Missouri, but with Kentucky getting the win over LSU, they jump them in this week’s rankings. Running back Jamal Roberts is up to second in the country in rushing yards after piling 222 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Tigers 27-6 win over Texas A&M. Missouri’s most important game of the season is coming up, on the road at Ole Miss, but they are playing their best ball.
- Tennessee (-)
Tennessee avoided a disastrous loss to Arkansas without their quarterback Fazion Brandon, who missed the game with injury. The Volunteers defense continues to improve from old Tennessee teams, and were crucial in the win over the Razorbacks. Alabama is up next, and the Volunteers have won the last two games against the Crimson Tide at home.
- LSU (-3)
The playoff chances for LSU have dwindled after the loss to Kentucky. It was a close loss, but still one the Tigers couldn’t take for their CFP hopes. It is still doable, but it might require them to win out with one of the country’s toughest remaining schedules.
- Oklahoma (+4)
Oklahoma was having an abysmal season, until it knocked off No. 1 away from home. The Sooners defense intercepted Manning twice, one going for a touchdown, and won on a field goal as time expired. Head coach Brent Venables and Oklahoma get the win they desperately needed, with another chance to play spoiler at home against Kentucky.
- South Carolina (+4)
South Carolina got a 5 touchdown performance from quarterback LaNorris Sellers and cruised past the Gators on the road. Like Oklahoma, it was a bad season going into this game, until they knocked off a ranked team on the road. The Gamecocks get a bye this week, and will prepare for Tennessee at home, a game South Carolina would like to have for bowl eligibility.
- Florida (-2)
Florida went from unranked, up to No. 8 in the country, backed to unranked again. The fall was nearly instantaneous with consecutive blowout losses, this week with South Carolina at home. The schedule gets even worse from here with Texas and Georgia up next, and the Gators could be looking at the bottom of the SEC if they don’t rebound.
- Auburn (-1)
Auburn did not play this weekend, but now has to gear up for three consecutive games against ranked opponents, starting with Georgia on the road.
- Texas A&M (-3)
Texas A&M gets some of the benefit of the doubt over the teams they are ahead of because of the talent on its roster, but this team has failed at every big opportunity they have gotten. To be just a mediocre team, you have to win some big games, and the Aggies would have hoped to be way better than just mediocre.
- Vanderbilt (-2)
The Commodores have found themselves back to the position they are used to, winless in the SEC. Vanderbilt’s biggest opportunity for a conference win will come this week against Arkansas.
- Arkansas (-)
Like Vanderbilt, Arkansas’ best opportunity for a win in the SEC this season will come Saturday.