College Football: SEC Power Rankings After Week 10
John Canady
Host · Writer
Another week of college football has come and gone as the race in the SEC heats up down the stretch. As the season continues to unfold, here’s a look at how the power rankings stack up following Week 10.
1) Alabama Crimson Tide
Week 10 Result: Bye
The Crimson Tide’s recent success has made them look like a top contender in the SEC, and with Kalen DeBoer’s squad seemingly firing on all cylinders, Bama finds itself atop the list entering Week 11. Alabama managed to slide into the No. 1 spot on their week off, and until proven otherwise, the Tide looks like the team to beat in the SEC.
2) Texas A&M Aggies
Week 10 Result: Bye
Texas A&M is the lone team in the SEC that remains undefeated, and that alone is a victory by itself. However, the Aggies still have plenty of tests on the horizon, and with a gauntlet ahead, Mike Elko’s group has the chance to prove just how serious a contender they really are. For now, the Aggies are at No. 2.
3) Georgia Bulldogs
Week 10 Result: Georgia 24, Florida 20
The Bulldogs managed to steal a win on the road in Week 10 in arguably one of the most hostile environments in all of college football. Georgia has proven it can win in a variety of ways, and coming off a gritty win against a desperate Florida team, UGA rounds out the top three.
4) Ole Miss Rebels
Week 10 Result: Ole Miss 30, South Carolina 14
Ole Miss dominated South Carolina this past weekend, adding another impressive win to Lane Kiffin’s resume this season. The Rebels have a legitimate chance to contend for a conference championship, and with a gauntlet ahead, Ole Miss has the opportunity to make a statement.
5) Texas Longhorns
Week 10 Result: Texas 34, Vanderbilt 31
At one point, the Longhorns’ chances to make the postseason seemed like a lost cause. However, following a statement win over Vanderbilt in Week 10, Texas has taken another step towards stumbling into the College Football Playoff. Steve Sarkisian’s group looks like they’ve finally figured out their issues, and the timing couldn’t be better. For that, Texas lands at No. 5.
6) Oklahoma Sooners
Week 10 Result: Oklahoma 33, Tennessee 27
Oklahoma bounced back in a significant way this past weekend, knocking off Tennessee. The Sooners have kept their playoff hopes alive, and there’s a real possibility that they could sneak their way into the postseason if they can make a push down the stretch. The talent is there, but Brent Venables’s squad has no room for error moving forward.
7) Vanderbilt Commodores
Week 10 Result: Texas 34, Vanderbilt 31
Vanderbilt looked like a true Cinderella story this season, as its early-season success led many to believe Clark Lea’s squad could make a legitimate run for a postseason bid. Although they still could, the Commodores’ heartbreaking loss to Texas put a wrinkle in Vandy’s plans. Despite that, there’s no doubt that Vanderbilt is a top ten team in the SEC this season.
8) Tennessee Volunteers
Week 10 Result: Oklahoma 33, Tennessee 27
Entering the season, fans were hoping that this would finally be the year that Josh Heupel got the Vols over the hump. However, after the team’s strong start, three losses have put the Volunteers in another hole that, at this point in the season, looks a bit too deep to climb out of. Tennessee is a premier bowl team, but at this point, it’s safe to say the Vols aren’t a playoff contender.
9) Missouri Tigers
Week 10 Result: Bye
Missouri had a prime opportunity to put themselves in firm positioning to make a run at a playoff spot, but they fell short. As a result, it looks as if the Tigers are stuck with yet another season where falling short of the ultimate goal is the reality. Mizzou is a good team, but not good enough yet to represent in the SEC on the biggest stage of college football. Regardless, they find themselves just inside the top ten.
10) LSU Tigers
Week 10 Result: Bye
LSU’s season couldn’t be more disappointing. Not only did they enter the year with legitimate conference champion expectations, but they seemed like a team that could contend in the national championship. However, their recent struggles not only put those hopes to rest but also cost head coach Brian Kelly his job, leaving the Tigers in an interesting spot moving forward.
11) Florida Gators
Week 10 Result: Georgia 24, Florida 20
Florida is another team that struggles and fails to live up to expectations, which has cost their head coach his job. The Gators seemingly had the talent to compete in the SEC this season, but inconsistent play has put the team in a position where clinching a bowl game would be a win.
12) South Carolina Gamecocks
Week 10 Result: Ole Miss 30, South Carolina 14
South Carolina entered the season with legitimate playoff expectations after their strong end to last season added to the team’s hype train. However, lackluster offensive line play and questionable play calling led to the team firing multiple staff members and leaving Gamecock fans wondering how much longer Shane Beamer has left. Talent only gets you so far, and with a nightmare stretch to send the season, USC very well could finish under .500.
13) Mississippi State Bulldogs
Week 10 Result: Mississippi State 38, Arkansas 35
Mississippi State finds itself one game over .500 after knocking off Arkansas this past weekend, handing head coach Jeff Lebby his first SEC win. This season alone is a win for the Bulldogs, who at this time last year seemed like the worst team in the nation. The program’s on the rise, and although they’re not a top team in the conference yet, there’s plenty of positives to take away from this season.
14) Arkansas Razorbacks
Week 10 Result: Mississippi State 38, Arkansas 35
The Razorbacks’ struggles have carried over from Sam Pittman to Bobby Petrino, as Arkansas’ issues at this point look too big to overcome down the stretch. When the offense is playing well, the defense looks horrendous. Meanwhile, when the defense finally manages to get a stop, the offense falls on its face. All signs of a losing program, which is why the Razorbacks land at No. 14.
15) Kentucky Wildcats
Week 10 Result: Kentucky 10, Auburn 3
Kentucky knocked off Auburn this past weekend, earning its third win of another trying season. There’s no doubt the Wildcats are one of the more lackluster teams in the conference, and until the program moves on from Mark Stoops, the overwhelming feeling is that things will stay that way.
16) Auburn Tigers
Week 10 Result: Kentucky 10, Auburn 3
Auburn’s football program is at an all-time low after falling to Kentucky this past weekend, which led to the eventual firing of head coach Hugh Freeze. The Tigers have an abundance of questions to answer moving forward, and after losing to UK while scoring only three total points, Auburn earns the bottom spot in this week’s rankings.
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