Another chaotic week in the SEC concludes, with another monumental upset to shake up the standings, as well as two top ranked teams playing a thriller coming down to the last play. Most of the conference’s top teams are going on bye this week, with other teams needing wins to catch up.
- Georgia (No change from last week)
Georgia didn’t play, and had an extra week to prepare for rivals Florida in a neutral site game in Atlanta. If Georgia fails to win, the SEC Championship may be out of reach, but you never know with how the conference has been beating itself up all year.
- Kentucky (+3)
Other teams losing, and the Wildcats being top of the SEC, has lifted Kentucky to the top two of the rankings. It is remarkable how high they have climbed after being bottom three preseason. This week, Kentucky overcame a 10-0 deficit to Vanderbilt to win 34-17. If the Wildcats can beat Tennessee next, the College Football Playoff path becomes crystal clear.
- Ole Miss (-1)
A close loss to Texas after nearly completing a 24-3 comeback keeps Ole Miss at the top of the SEC. The Rebels don’t have to travel far from here on out, only leaving Oxford once to play Oklahoma Nov. 14, but a loss in any of their remaining games will put Ole Miss in jeopardy of missing the CFP.
- Alabama (-)
It wasn’t a great performance for Alabama, but it was all it needed to do. The Crimson Tide ended the losing streak, and quarterback Keelon Russell threw for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns. Alabama hits the bye week, and will have an extra week to prepare for a monster matchup with LSU.
- LSU (+1)
LSU flattened the same Auburn team that defeated Georgia on the road a week prior. The game was never close, and it was the most complete game the Tigers and quarterback Sam Leavitt had played against an SEC opponent, throwing for 387 yards and 3 touchdowns. LSU now has its bye week before the Alabama game.
- Texas (+1)
The Longhorns have looked shaky all season, but got out to enough of a lead against Ole Miss to take home the win. If the offense can play a full game of football, Texas will be tough to beat, and quarterback Arch Manning can look like one of the best in the country. However, that may never come to be at this point in the season.
- Tennessee (-4)
A bad loss for Tennessee against South Carolina, a team they have struggled with under head coach Josh Heupel leaves Tennessee in a precarious spot. The Volunteers now have 2 losses with Kentucky and LSU still to play, two teams who will also be playing with their backs against the wall. Someone other than running back DeSean Bishop will have to show up.
- Florida (-1)
Florida drops one spot due to the Texas win, but will shoot up the rankings once again, if the Gators can take down Georgia.
- South Carolina (+3)
The biggest win of the week for the SEC goes to South Carolina, who knocked off Tennessee at home 27-24 on a last second field goal. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers was the star of the show, and his athleticism was put on display against the Volunteers. The Gamecocks scored a touchdown with 1:17 to play in the game to tie it, and forced a fumble to set up the winning field goal. South Carolina just needs two more wins for bowl eligibility.
- Missouri (+1)
Missouri didn’t have a game, and will hope to gain bowl eligibility against Arkansas Saturday.
- Auburn (-2)
Auburn has the best win in the conference, but did not look good against LSU Saturday, losing 38-17. The Tigers have another tough game on the road against Ole Miss next, and will get another opportunity to play spoiler.
- Oklahoma (+1)
The Sooners picked up a road win against Mississippi State, where the defense played another exceptional game, only allowing 15 points. Oklahoma has South Carolina up next, and a win will really help for bowl eligibility.
- Mississippi State (-3)
That may be all for Mississippi State, who lost its third straight game, and lost quarterback Kamario Taylor for the rest of the season. It was a promising season, and bowl eligibility is still in range, but it will not be easy if the quarterback position struggles.
- Texas A&M (-)
Texas A&M had the lead over Alabama going into the fourth quarter, but ultimately could not keep up. The Aggies are now 1-4 in the SEC, a disaster after starting out ranked No. 8 in the preseason AP Poll, and qualifying for the CFP last season.
- Arkansas (-)
No game for Arkansas last week, but will now get a chance to build a winning streak against rival Missouri.
- Vanderbilt (-)
Another loss for Vanderbilt, this time blowing a 10-0 lead to Kentucky. The Commodores are the only winless SEC team in conference play.
Leave a Reply