Not a ton of changes this week, but we did find out some more about a lot of teams.
For starters, Florida might be a lot better than everyone thought, and the Gators still control their own destiny in the SEC East. Tennessee and Missouri both picked up huge wins to stay alive in the SEC East race as well. Georgia continues to keep winning, but the loss of Brock Bowers was the big story.
Teams like Arkansas, Mississippi State, and South Carolina are all in panic mode and desperately need a win to keep their bowl hopes alive. Texas A&M keeps dropping and Jimbo Fisher’s seat is increasingly getting hotter.
Week 8 should be a fun week in the SEC headlined with the Third Saturday in October as No. 17 Tennessee travels to Tuscaloosa to take on No. 11 Alabama.
SEC Football Power Rankings After Week 7
14. Vanderbilt 2-6 (0-4)
AP Ranking: NR
Best Win: Hawaii 35-28
Next Week: BYE
The Vanderbilt losing streak is now at six games after a pretty good showing against No. 1 Georgia at home. The Commodores came out swinging and fought hard against the best team in the country. Vanderbilt has been competitive in SEC play this season, they just have not been able to get over the hump.
13. Arkansas 2-5 (0-4)
AP Ranking: NR
Best Win: Kent State 28-6
Next Week: Mississippi State
The saying you are what your record says you are is true most of the time, however, this Arkansas team is a lot better than what their record shows. The Razorbacks continue to be very competitive every week, but the Hogs just have not been able to pull some of these close games out. With that being said, this season has been inexcusable so far and Arkansas might not make a bowl game.
12. Mississippi State 3-3 (0-3)
AP Ranking: NR
Best Win: Arizona 31-24 (OT)
Next Week: @ Arkansas
Mississippi State got a chance to regroup during their off week and hopefully, they got some guys healthy. Coming off a bye week, the game this week seems like a must-win if the Bulldogs want to remain on pace to make a bowl game this season. Mississippi State has not looked good at all during SEC play so far and Saturday will play a big factor in how successful their season will be.
11. South Carolina 2-4 (1-3)
AP Ranking: NR
Best Win: Mississippi State 37-30
Next Week: @ #20 Missouri
The Gamecock offense continued to roll on Saturday, but the defense and overall depth continue to be the backbreaker for this team. Saturday against the Gators was a must-win in my eyes because if you look at South Carolina’s schedule, I do not know if they will even make a bowl game after all the offseason hype. This weekend could decide whether Shane Beamer is the guy moving forward or not.
10. Auburn 3-3 (0-3)
AP Ranking: NR
Best Win: @ Cal 14-10
Next Week: #13 Ole Miss
The Auburn offense yet again was very disappointing in their loss at No. 22 LSU on Saturday. Hugh Freeze has to figure something out and quickly if they want to even be competitive in the SEC West. The Tigers have another huge test this weekend at home against No. 13 Ole Miss which could really turn their season around.
9. Florida 5-2 (3-1)
AP Ranking: NR
Best Win: #11 Tennessee 29-16
Next Week: BYE
This Florida Gators team continues to surprise people and they seem to be getting better every week. The Gators stole one in the remaining minutes on the road at South Carolina which really pumped some life back into that program and their fanbase. At this point of the season, Florida controls their own destiny in the SEC race going into their bye week.
8. Kentucky 5-2 (2-2)
AP Poll: NR
Best Win: #22 Florida 33-14
Next Week: BYE
The Wildcats took one on the chin Saturday night against Missouri. Kentucky started off great and looked like they were still upset about the way they played in Athens the week before. Unfortunately for Kentucky, Missouri absolutely dominated after the first quarter and embarrassed the Wildcats on their own field. Fortunately for the Wildcats, they do get a bye week to figure things out, and they will try to get things back on track against No. 17 Tennessee in a couple of weeks.
7. Texas A&M 4-3 (2-2)
AP Ranking: NR
Best Win: Auburn 27-20
Next Week: BYE
The Aggies fell short in Knoxville on Saturday as the offense once again let down their dominant defensive performance. I still think that the Aggies are one of the better teams in the league, but that’s assuming that things do not spiral out of control in College Station. Texas A&M is looking to get healthy and to figure some things out during their much-needed bye week this week.
6. Missouri 6-1 (2-1)
AP Ranking: #20
Best Win: #15 Kansas State 30-27
Next Week: South Carolina
The Missouri Tigers are, in my opinion, the most surprising team in the SEC so far. The Tigers picked up another big win, this time on the road at No. 24 Kentucky. Missouri’s offense is continuing to put up big numbers and continuing to get better each week. The Tigers need a win on Saturday for a chance to go into their bye week with a 7-1, and the SEC East showdown at No. 1 Georgia on the horizon.
5. LSU 5-2 (3-1)
AP Ranking: #19
Best Win: @ #21 Missouri 49-39
Next Week: Army
LSU dominated from start to finish on Saturday as they hosted SEC West foe, Auburn. LSU completely outmatched Auburn, and the offense shined yet again. The LSU defense was flying around and played how everybody knew they could play. LSU hosts Army on Saturday before getting a week off to prepare for a trip to Tuscaloosa in early November.
4. Tennessee 5-1 (2-1)
AP Ranking: #17
Best Win: Texas A&M 20-13
Next Week: @ #11 Alabama
Tennessee squeaked one out at home on Saturday against Texas A&M. The Vols offense was basically nonexistent, however, the defense was spectacular. If Tennessee can figure out their offensive woes and their defense continues to play the way they are playing, watch out for the Vols. Tennessee travels to No. 11 Alabama for the Third Saturday in October showdown, which will determine which team stays in the playoff hunt, and which team takes a step back.
3. Ole Miss 5-1 (2-1)
AP Ranking: #13
Best Win: #13 LSU 55-49
Next Week: @ Auburn
The Rebels enjoyed their bye week last weekend and look forward to a tough road test on Saturday at Auburn. Ole Miss needs this win this weekend if they want to hold firm at the top of the SEC West race. The Rebels should be fresh as they play a beat-up Auburn team in prime time on Saturday.
2. Alabama 6-1 (4-0)
AP Ranking: #11
Best Win: #15 Ole Miss 24-10
Next Week: #17 Tennessee
The Crimson Tide survived at home against a desperate Arkansas team on Saturday. Alabama did not play their best game, but I think that was expected coming off a big win at Texas A&M, and the Third Saturday in October the next week. The Tide have revenge on their mind this Saturday as No. 17 Tennessee rolls into Bryant-Denny. Both teams will be fighting to remain in the playoff hunt, and the loser will suffer their second loss before November.
1. Georgia 7-0 (4-0)
AP Rankings: #1
Best Win: #20 Kentucky 51-13
Next Week: BYE
Georgia yet again had a slow start, this time on the road at Vanderbilt. The slow starts are still very concerning for the Bulldogs, but the biggest concern is Brock Bowers’ health moving forward. Nobody really knows when Bowers will return, but the Bulldogs do have a bye week before heading into the Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
Week 8 Schedule:
#17 Tennessee @ #11 Alabama, 3:30 CBS
#13 Ole Miss @ Auburn, 7:00 ESPN
South Carolina @ #20 Missouri, 3:30 SECN
Mississippi State @ Arkansas, 12:00 ESPN
Army @ #19 LSU, 7:30 SECN
