SEC Power Rankings after Week 7: Kentucky tumbles after miscues vs Vanderbilt

Week 7 held some surprises and movement in the SEC Power Rankings, but not anywhere near what we had last week. Some assumptions last week didn't pan out, one of those being Kentucky. It's hard to know what version we are going to get week in and week out. Other teams moved, but the first few stayed in place. We are starting to figure out the top and bottom of the SEC. It's the middle that's very muddy.

Last week rank: 1

Many people circled this game as the one where Texas could be upset, but they didn't even let Oklahoma sniff a win. The Longhorns dominated in every way, and Oklahoma looked outmatched. Texas looks like the best team in the SEC and the best team in the country.

Last week rank: 2

The Aggies were on a bye and they ended last week at second without any movement around them. They stay at second and they will need to handle business this week against a desperate Mississippi State team.

Last week rank: 3

Mississippi State gave Georgia everything they could handle. It was an impressive, scrappy performance by the Bulldogs from Mississippi. Georgia won and kept their position as the third-best SEC team in the power rankings. They have to take on Texas this week, and it will be a dawg fight.

Last week rank: 4

LSU had the most impressive win of the week and showed why they belong at the top of the SEC. I debated moving them above Georgia. Winning close to Ole Miss is more impressive than winning close to Mississippi State. LSU goes on the road this week to take on the Razorbacks, who are looking to cause more chaos.

Last week rank: 8

The Commodores wanted to prove beating Alabama wasn't a fluke when they played Kentucky. They did everything they needed to do to keep that momentum going. They had a tough time against one of the toughest defenses in the country, but they held on with another big SEC win.

Last week rank: 9

The Crimson Tide almost were upset again, and the Alabama fans are growing restless with the new coach and new schemes. They are used to dominating but lost to Vanderbilt and barely beat South Carolina. It's not pretty, but they are 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the SEC.

Last week rank: 6

Only a slight downgrade for Ole Miss with their loss to LSU. It truly could have been Ole Miss with the win but they couldn't pull it off in overtime. They looked lost in OT and out of sorts, and that's why they ended up losing.

Last week rank: 10

The Razorbacks, like Kentucky last week, had to move up on their bye week because the teams fell apart around them. They still have that big win over Tennessee from last week, but they now have to take on LSU this week.

Last week rank: 11

The Volunteers looked unstoppable to start the year, but they have looked miserable in the last two games. They look like two different teams, and I think it's because other SEC opponents have figured out how to scheme against them, and now the games are becoming much closer. The matchup of Alabama and Tennessee this week is going to be fascinating, as they both seem to be on the same trajectory.

Last week rank: 7

Not sure what to say about the Sooners. besides, they were not anywhere close to being able to take out the Longhorns. They looked overwhelmed basically all game and it's starting to look like the Sooners may have been overrated to start the year.

Last week rank: 5

Kentucky can't get out of its own way in its losses. It has lost three games in the SEC to South Carolina, Georgia, and Vanderbilt. All of them were winnable, but Kentucky embarrassed itself against the Gamecocks, couldn't close the Bulldogs out, and shot itself in the foot against the Commodores. It has flashes of being great, but they simply aren't.

Last week rank: 12

Sure, you could argue the Tigers should be ranked higher with the record they have, but playing UMASS isn't impressive, and they were destroyed by Texas A&M in week 6. Before I move them off of 12 I'd like to see them play another SEC opponent. The good news is I don't have to wait long as they take on Auburn this week. Even though Auburn doesn't look great this year, how Missouri plays them will tell me more about whether Missouri is a good team or a bad one.

Last week rank: 14

I swapped them with Florida simply because almost taking out Alabama deserves a little credit. I moved them up, but they don't look great (besides against Kentucky).

Last week rank: 13

Florida is a roller coaster, and they added another loss to their SEC plate by losing a close one to Tennessee. They take on Kentucky this week with a true freshman quarterback leading the charge.

Last week rank: 15

They were on a bye and they haven't looked good all season.

Last week rank: 16

Mississippi State has stayed as the last-place team all season in these power rankings, and there's nothing to show me they won't stay there all year. They look more desperate now to get a win so there's a chance they could surprise a team. but they are not good.