f you thought Week 13 was going to be a sleepy "Cupcake Week" before rivalry weekend, you weren't paying attention.
While the top dogs like Texas A&M and Georgia handled their business against inferior opponents, the middle of the pack exploded. Vanderbilt didn't just beat Kentucky; they exposed them as frauds in a 45-17 rout that wasn't even as close as the score suggests. Diego Pavia isn't just a fun story anymore; he's the most dangerous player in the conference.
Meanwhile, in Baton Rouge, LSU survived a near-disaster against Western Kentucky, proving that it wasn't just Brian Kelly, as the team has completely checked out. And in Norman, Oklahoma's defense sent a message to the rest of the league by strangling Missouri.
Here is how the SEC stacks up after a revealing Week 13.
1. Texas A&M (11-0)
Last Week: 1
The Aggies didn't play with their food. A 48-0 shutout of Samford is exactly what you want to see from a No. 1 team. Marcel Reed tossed three touchdowns, and the defense pitched a shutout. They are one win away from a perfect regular season.
2. Georgia (10-1)
Last Week: 2
It was a sleepy start against Charlotte (leading just 3-0 after the first), but the Dawgs woke up to win 35-3. Gunner Stockton managed the game, and Nate Frazier found the end zone twice. Kirby Smart’s team is simply waiting for the playoffs.
3. Ole Miss (10-1)
Last Week: 3
Idle. The Rebels got to rest up while chaos ensued around them. They stay locked at No. 3.
4. Oklahoma (9-2)
Last Week: 4
The Sooners' defense is terrifying. Holding a ranked Missouri team to just 6 points and 70 rushing yards is a championship-level performance. They aren't winning pretty, but they are winning physically. This is a team nobody wants to see in the postseason.
5. Alabama (9-2)
Last Week: 5
Alabama needed a "get right" game after the Oklahoma loss, and Eastern Illinois was the unfortunate victim. The 56-0 beatdown doesn't tell us much, but Ty Simpson avoided mistakes, and the ground game rolled. They hold steady.
6. Vanderbilt (9-2)
Last Week: 6
Stop laughing. Start respecting. Vanderbilt is 9-2 and just hung 45 points on Kentucky’s "vaunted" defense. Diego Pavia threw for a school-record 484 yards and accounted for 5 touchdowns. This is not a fluke. Clark Lea has built a legitimate top-10 caliber squad that plays harder than anyone else in the league.
7. Texas (8-3)
Last Week: 7
Arch Manning aired it out in a shootout win over Arkansas, throwing for 389 yards and 4 touchdowns. The defense giving up 37 points to a 2-9 Razorback team is concerning, but the offense looks explosive enough.
8. Tennessee (8-3)
Last Week: 9
Going into "The Swamp" is never easy, but Josh Heupel owned Florida on Saturday. The 31-11 win was dominant. The Vols' run game (212 yards) controlled the clock, and the defense suffocated DJ Lagway. They jump Missouri this week.
9. Missouri (7-4)
Last Week: 8
The Tigers ran into a brick wall in Norman. Scoring just 6 points with a potent offense is a massive disappointment. Their playoff hopes are dead, and they are sliding down the pecking order.
10. Auburn (5-6)
Last Week: 14
The Tigers make a big jump after demolishing Mercer 62-17. Why? Because Deuce Knight looks like the real deal. The QB rushed for 162 yards and 4 touchdowns while throwing for 239. It was a lower-tier opponent, but Auburn finally looked like an SEC offense.
11. LSU (7-4)
Last Week: 10
Embarrassing. There is no other word for struggling to beat Western Kentucky 13-10 at home. Brian Kelly is gone, but still the team looks bored, uninspired, and poorly coached. A win is a win, but this felt like a loss.
12. Mississippi State (5-6)
Last Week: 12
Idle. They stay pat by default.
13. Kentucky (5-6)
Last Week: 11
The wheels have officially fallen off. Kentucky’s "elite" defense gave up 538 yards to Vanderbilt. The offense is broken, the coaching staff looks defeated, and the fans are revolting. This is a program in freefall.
14. South Carolina (4-7)
Last Week: 13
LaNorris Sellers had a day against Coastal Carolina (274 passing, 82 rushing, 4 total TDs). The 51-7 win showed that this team still has fight despite a brutal record.
15. Florida (3-8)
Last Week: 15
Getting blown out at home by Tennessee sums up the Billy Napier era pretty well. The offense managed just 11 points. It’s going to be a long offseason in Gainesville, especially if Lane Kiffin says no.
16. Arkansas (2-9)
Last Week: 16
They scored 37 points on Texas, which is nice, but a 2-9 record is indefensible. Safe to say Bobby Petrino won't be head coach much longer.
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