SEC Power Rankings after Week 12: Kentucky wins big but stuck at the bottom
By Mark Knight
. 467. Texas Longhorns. . 1. . 9-1 (5-1 SEC). . . Week 12 Result: 20-10 Win over Arkansas
Last week rank: 1
Many thought Texas may get tripped up this week against Arkansas, but they handled their business and got the win. They are still at the top of the power rankings.
Week 12 Result: BYE. . . 8-2 (4-2 SEC). . 2. 532. Ole Miss Rebels. .
Last week rank: 2
Ole Miss had the week off and I still think they may be either ranked 2-3. They get to play a red-hot Florida next week and will try to retain their claim at the top of the SEC.
3. Georgia Bulldogs. . 527. . . 8-2 (6-2 SEC). Week 12 Result: 31-17 Win over Tennessee. .
Last week rank: 4
Georgia with a big rebound after last week's loss. Kirby Smart almost never loses two games in a row and he didn't again. He had the Bulldogs ready to take on Tennessee, and they handled them fairly easily, especially in closing out the game.
Texas A&M Aggies. . . . . 535. 8-2 (5-1 SEC). Week 12 Result: 38-3 Win over New Mexico State. 4.
Last week rank: 5
The Aggies had a non-conference game this week and only got to move up because of a Tennessee loss. The Aggies will get to face Auburn this week and extend their claim in the top 5 of the SEC power rankings.
. Tennessee Volunteers. . . 8-2 (5-2 SEC). 5. Week 12 Result: 31-17 Loss to Georgia. . . 534
Last week rank: 3
The Volunteers didn't look like an even match with Georgia. They may still be one of the top teams in the SEC, but this loss could have cost them the College Football Playoffs.
8-2 (4-2 SEC). . . Week 12 Result: 52-7 Win over Mercer. 6. . Alabama Crimson Tide. . . 523
Last week rank: 6
Like many of their SEC counterparts, Alabama had an easy non-conference game this week. They handled Mercer without any issue and will play the flailing Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday.
. . 7-3 (5-3 SEC). South Carolina Gamecocks. 7. Week 12 Result: 34-30 Win over Missouri. . . . 533
Last week rank: 7
South Carolina and Missouri feel like very similar SEC teams. They are not one of the greats, not one of the bottom dwellers. The win over the Tigers helped them move up, but they are outside of the College Football Playoff.
Vanderbilt Commodores. . 537. 6-4 (3-3 SEC). Week 12 Result: BYE. . . . 8.
Last week rank: 10
Had a week off but got to move up because of how muddy the middle of the rankings are.
. 9. Florida Gators. . 526. 5-5 (3-4 SEC). Week 12 Result: 27-16 Win over LSU. . .
Last week rank: 12
This was a big win for Billy Napier in front of a town of recruits that he is hoping to secure to keep the trajectory going in the right direction. Florida has had a rough season, but they are hot at a good time and only one win away from being bowl eligible.
7-3 (3-3 SEC). . 10. . Week 12 Result: 34-30 Loss to South Carolina. 531. Missouri Tigers. . .
Last week rank: 9
It always felt like the Missouri Tigers were a bit of a fraud, and they have slowly shown that they are a middle-of-the-road SEC team. The loss to South Carolina clarified this point and put them absolutely outside of the College Football Playoffs.
LSU Tigers. . 11. Week 12 Result: 27-16 Loss to Florida. 529. 6-4 (3-3 SEC). . . .
Last week rank: 8
LSU is going to look back on this season as what could have been. This loss to Florida sent them towards the bottom of the SEC, and the fanbase is reeling. There was a ton of promise in this season, and it fell apart pretty quickly.
Week 12 Result: 20-10 Loss to Texas. . 12. . 5-5 (3-4 SEC). . . Arkansas Razorbacks. . 524
Last week rank: 11
Razorbacks hoped to play spoiler for the College Football Playoffs and Texas' dreams. However, they were outmatched and didn't give themselves enough opportunities to pull it off.
. 525. Week 12 Result: 48-14 Win over UL Monroe. 13. . Auburn Tigers. . . . 4-6 (1-5 SEC)
Last week rank: 13
There is not much to say about the Tigers. They played a non-conference game this week and dominated, but now they have to host the Texas A&M Aggies. It could be an opportunity to play spoiler, but that's about it.
528. Kentucky Wildcats. . . . Week 12 Result: 48-6 Win over Murray State. 14. . . 4-6 (1-6 SEC)
Last week rank: 14
Kentucky also played a really weak opponent and didn't move in these standings. It actually was a fairly sloppy game for the Wildcats, but a win is a win, and as they try to chase some hope for a bowl, they needed it. Now they have to take on the Texas Longhorns and could either crush their dreams, or the Longhorns can crush the Wildcat's slim hopes.
. 464. Oklahoma Sooners. . 15. . Week 12 Result: BYE. . 5-5 (1-5 SEC).
Last week rank: 15
Bye week for the Sooners, they stay in their place at near bottom of the power rankings.
. 2-8 (0-6 SEC). . 16. Mississippi State Bulldogs. . . Week 12 Result: BYE. . 530
Last week rank: 16
There is not much to say about the Bulldogs that hasn't been said, especially with a bye week. They are still looking for their first SEC win and may have a shot this week against Missouri.
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