Another Saturday, another complete reshuffling of the deck in the Southeastern Conference. This weekend was defined by statement wins, shocking upsets, and gritty survivals that have blown the conference hierarchy wide open. Georgia announced its return to the elite tier, Vanderbilt proved it's a legitimate force, and Texas found a way to win ugly.
Kentucky found another gut-wrenching way to lose, ensuring their spot at the bottom remains secure. Here is our previous rankings, so let’s dive into the latest SEC Power Rankings.
Vanderbilt jumps a tier and is heading into the SEC elite
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-1)
(Previously: 1) ➖
In their biggest test since the Georgia game, the Crimson Tide handled business, pulling away from Tennessee for a convincing 37-20 win in Tuscaloosa. Ty Simpson looked sharp (253 yards, 2 TDs), and the defense clamped down after the first quarter. They remain the undisputed standard.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (6-1)
(Previously: 4) 🔼
Welcome back to the elite. In a top-10 showdown, Georgia outdueled Ole Miss 43-35 between the hedges. Gunner Stockton was masterful (289 yards, 4 TDs), reminding everyone why the Bulldogs are still a threat to win it all. This was the statement win Kirby Smart needed.
3. Texas A&M Aggies (7-0)
(Previously: 2) 🔽
It took everything they had, but the Aggies survived a furious upset bid from Arkansas, winning 45-42 on the road. Marcel Reed (280 yards, 3 TDs) and the offense were explosive, but the defense showed significant cracks. They remain undefeated but drop a spot after Georgia's huge win.
4. Ole Miss Rebels (6-1)
(Previously: 3) 🔽
The Rebels went toe-to-toe with Georgia in Athens but came up just short in a 43-35 classic. Trinidad Chambliss was dynamic (263 passing, 2 TDs; 42 rushing, 2 TDs), but the defense couldn't get enough stops. Their playoff hopes take a hit, but this team is still incredibly dangerous.
5. Vanderbilt Commodores (6-1)
(Previously: 10) 🔼
THE JUMP OF THE WEEK. Vandy isn't just a feel-good story; they are a legitimate contender. Diego Pavia (160 pass yds, 1 TD; 86 rush yds, 2 TDs) led the Commodores to a stunning 31-24 upset victory over No. 10 LSU in Nashville. Clark Lea has built something special. Believe the hype.
6. Missouri Tigers (6-1)
(Previously: 8) 🔼
It wasn't pretty, requiring double overtime, but Missouri found a way to win 26-23 on the road against Auburn. Ahmad Hardy scored both TDs. Eli Drinkwitz's team continues to win gritty, tough games, proving their resilience week after week.
7. Texas Longhorns (5-2)
(Previously: 7) ➖
Texas escaped Lexington with a 16-13 overtime win against Kentucky, but it was far from convincing. The defense and special teams bailed out a sputtering offense led by Arch Manning (132 yards). They found a way to win ugly on the road, which counts, but it wasn't the dominant performance many expected.
8. Oklahoma Sooners (5-2)
(Previously: 9) 🔼
After the Red River debacle, Oklahoma bounced back with a solid, professional 20-7 road win at South Carolina. The defense was suffocating, and the offense did just enough. A necessary rebound win for Brent Venables' squad.
9. LSU Tigers (5-2)
(Previously: 5) 🔽
THE FALL OF THE WEEK. Losing on the road is one thing; getting physically handled by Vanderbilt is another. The 31-24 loss in Nashville raises major red flags about LSU's toughness and defensive consistency. A massive blow to their season aspirations.
10. Tennessee Volunteers (5-2)
(Previously: 6) 🔽
The Vols hung tough early but were ultimately outclassed by Alabama in a 37-20 loss. DeSean Bishop had a huge day on the ground (123 yards, 2 TDs), but the defense couldn't get enough stops. A clear gap exists between them and the conference elite.
11. Florida Gators (2-6)
(Previously: 11) -
Just when it seemed the Gators might have turned a corner, they drop a winnable home game to Mississippi State, 23-21. Jadan Baugh ran wild (150 yards, 1 TD), but turnovers (2 INTs for DJ Lagway) continue to haunt them. The seat is definitely warming for Billy Napier.
12. Arkansas Razorbacks (2-5)
(Previously: 14) 🔼
Wow. Where did that come from? The Razorbacks played their hearts out, pushing No. 4 Texas A&M to the absolute brink in a 45-42 shootout loss. Taylen Green (256 yards, 3 TDs) and Mike Washington (147 rush yards) were spectacular. It's still a loss, but that kind of fight earns them a bump.
13. Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-3)
(Previously: 15) 🔼
A gritty performance, but ultimately another loss. The Bulldogs fell 23-21 at Florida, unable to make enough plays late despite Davon Booth's two touchdowns. They move up slightly due to Auburn's continued struggles.
14. Auburn Tigers (3-4)
(Previously: 13) 🔽
Another week, another agonizingly close loss. Auburn battled Missouri into double overtime but fell 23-17. The defense continues to play lights out, but the offense simply cannot make enough plays to win in the SEC. Hugh Freeze is running out of time to find answers.
15. South Carolina Gamecocks (3-4)
(Previously: 12) 🔽
The Gamecocks struggled offensively and were handled by Oklahoma in a 26-7 home loss. The effort is there, but the talent gap against top competition remains evident. Shane Beamer needs to find some offensive spark, quickly.
16. Kentucky Wildcats (2-4)
(Previously: 16) ➖
Kentucky found perhaps the most painful way yet to extend its SEC home losing streak. They dominated Texas statistically (395-179 yards, 40 min possession) but lost 16-13 in overtime due to special teams blunders and catastrophic red-zone failures. Cutter Boley played well, but conservative play-calling doomed them again. They remain firmly in the SEC cellar.
To see the full stats, scores, and more from a wild weekend in the SEC, click here.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion