There were plenty of ranked matchups across college football this past week, and the games certainly lived up to the expectations. Another major upset took place, as No. 1 Miami (FL) fell to No. 11 Notre Dame, 31-24, in a game that delivered plenty of excitement. Miami was without star wide receiver Malachi Toney, who is expected to return for the College Football Playoff, but Notre Dame deserves credit for earning the victory with its performance.
Elsewhere, No. 3 Utah escaped with a 28-20 win over
No. 9 BYU. There were also several other notable results, including Oklahoma defeating Florida, Oregon taking down Ohio State, and Tennessee dominating Kentucky.
With November underway, every game becomes increasingly important as teams fight for a spot in the College Football Playoff. There is very little room for error at this point in the season, and programs hoping to reach the postseason will need to play close to their best football each week.
The SEC race is also beginning to take shape, with several teams still looking to make a statement before the regular season comes to an end. With that in mind, let’s get into the rankings.
SEC Football Power Rankings Week 11
No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (8-1, 6-1)
Georgia continues to look like the best team in the country and the SEC after dominating Ole Miss, 42-7, on the road. It was another impressive performance from the Bulldogs, who looked to be playing in a completely different league compared to the Rebels.
Georgia’s defense was especially dominant, holding Ole Miss scoreless in the first half and allowing just one touchdown throughout the entire game. The Bulldogs also forced two turnovers, including a fumble and an interception, making life even more difficult for the Rebels.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss never found his rhythm, finishing with 18 completions on 34 attempts, no touchdowns, and one interception. With the game getting out of hand, the Rebels eventually turned to backup quarterback Deuce Knight.
On the other side, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton did not need to do much with the Bulldogs consistently finding themselves in favorable field position. He finished 9-of-15 for 186 passing yards and four touchdowns, helping Georgia cruise to another convincing victory.
Despite its lone loss to Auburn at home, Georgia has looked like one of the most complete teams in the country. Following Miami’s loss to Notre Dame, the Bulldogs could also find themselves moving into the No. 1 spot in the national rankings.
For now, Georgia remains the clear No. 1 team in the SEC and will look to keep that momentum going as the postseason approaches.
No. 2 Texas Longhorns (7-2, 4-2)
Texas moves up to No. 2 in the SEC Power Rankings after both LSU and Kentucky suffered losses this past weekend. The Longhorns were not completely dominant against Missouri, but they still took care of business with a 34-20 road victory.
It has been an inconsistent season for Texas, which has shown flashes of being one of the best teams in the country. The Longhorns have picked up impressive victories over Ohio State at home and Tennessee on the road. However, they have also suffered disappointing losses to Florida at home and Oklahoma on the road.
One of the biggest reasons Texas earns the No. 2 spot is its head-to-head victory over Tennessee. The Longhorns were able to take care of business in Knoxville, and that result becomes especially important with the Volunteers also sitting at two losses.
Next week presents another major opportunity for Texas, as the Longhorns travel to Baton Rouge to take on LSU. It will be interesting to see how quarterback Arch Manning and the offense handle the atmosphere and crowd noise at Tiger Stadium.
However, Texas has already shown that it can win in a difficult road environment after defeating Tennessee in Knoxville. If the Longhorns can put together another strong performance, they will continue to strengthen their position near the top of the SEC.
No. 3 Tennessee Volunteers (7-2, 4-2)
Tennessee was coming off a bye week, but the Volunteers showed just how dominant they can be after taking care of Kentucky, 34-6. The Wildcats were also coming off a bye, but they struggled to find any offensive rhythm against Tennessee.
A major reason for the Volunteers’ success was their defense, which consistently made life difficult for Kentucky. Tennessee forced three turnovers, including two fumbles and an interception, while also coming up with multiple stops on fourth down.
Field position was another important factor. Tennessee’s offense was able to move the ball down the field, and even when the Volunteers had to punt, Kentucky frequently found itself starting inside its own 20-yard line. That made it difficult for the Wildcats to put together scoring drives and gave Tennessee opportunities to regain possession with favorable field position.
Offensively, the Volunteers found success through their running back room, which accounted for three touchdowns. Quarterback Faizon Baker also added a touchdown, giving Tennessee multiple ways to find the end zone.
For Tennessee to take the next step, starting quarterback George MacIntyre will need to become more consistent and make plays when his team needs him. If he can do that, this Volunteers team has the potential to be dangerous.
Tennessee comes in at No. 3 because of its head-to-head loss to Texas, but the Volunteers also own a head-to-head victory over Alabama. That gives them an impressive resume, especially after their performance against Kentucky.
Now, Tennessee will travel to College Station to face a struggling Texas A&M team. It will be another opportunity for the Volunteers to build momentum and show that they can compete with the best teams in the conference.
No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (7-2, 5-2)
Alabama climbs all the way to No. 4 after dominating LSU, 31-13, on the road Saturday. It was an impressive bounce-back performance from the Crimson Tide, who controlled much of the game and made life difficult for the Tigers on both sides of the ball.
A major reason Alabama was able to come away with the victory was its defense. The Crimson Tide forced two turnovers, including a fumble and an interception, while also coming up with four stops on fourth down. Those plays helped Alabama consistently win the field-position battle and put its offense in favorable situations.
With the offense receiving short fields, Alabama was able to capitalize on those opportunities and put points on the board. Quarterback Keelon Russell continues to look like one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and his performance helped the Crimson Tide pull away from LSU.
If Alabama did not have its road loss to Tennessee, it would have a strong argument for being one of the top three teams in the SEC. However, that head-to-head result keeps the Crimson Tide behind the Volunteers for now.
Still, Alabama is firmly inside the top five and has an opportunity to climb even higher if it continues to win. Next week, the Crimson Tide will travel to face Vanderbilt, where they should have a good opportunity to take care of business.
No. 5 Kentucky Wildcats (7-2, 5-2)
Kentucky falls all the way to No. 5 in the SEC Power Rankings after suffering a 34-6 loss to Tennessee on the road. It was a disappointing afternoon for the Wildcats, who were unable to find the end zone and struggled to keep the game competitive.
Kentucky is now the last team in the SEC with only two losses on the season, which is one reason the Wildcats remain inside the top five despite the difficult defeat.
For the first time under head coach Will Stein, Kentucky failed to score a single touchdown. The Wildcats had opportunities to keep the game competitive, but turnovers, penalties, and an inability to finish drives ultimately led to their downfall.
One of Kentucky’s biggest issues throughout the season has been its ability to turn promising drives into touchdowns. That problem became even more noticeable against Tennessee, as the Wildcats struggled to generate consistent offense against a Volunteers defense that deserves plenty of credit.
Tennessee’s defense is legitimate, and it will continue to be a difficult matchup for opposing offenses. However, Kentucky will need to regroup and figure out how to finish drives while also finding ways to prevent explosive plays on defense.
The schedule does not get any easier for the Wildcats, either. Kentucky will host Florida, travel to Missouri, and finish the regular season against Louisville at home. Those three games will be important as Stein and the Wildcats look to close out what has already been a successful first season under the new head coach.
If Kentucky still hopes to make the College Football Playoff, it will need to respond quickly. The loss to Tennessee was a setback, but the Wildcats still have an opportunity to finish the season strong.
No. 6 South Carolina Gamecocks (6-3, 4-3)
South Carolina has been one of the hottest teams in the country and the SEC over the past month. After beginning the season 2-3 and 0-3 in conference play, the Gamecocks have completely turned things around and now have a four-game winning streak.
The only other SEC team entering Saturday with a longer winning streak was Kentucky, which had won six straight before falling to Tennessee.
South Carolina’s latest victory came against a struggling Texas A&M team, but the way the Gamecocks earned the win was impressive. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers took a big hit during the first half and injured his ankle before halftime. Fortunately for South Carolina, the injury came back negative, allowing Sellers to return in the second half.
Although he was not at full strength, Sellers still made a major impact. He broke off a big run that resulted in a touchdown and helped South Carolina extend its lead from one point to eight.
The Gamecocks’ defense also came through when it mattered most. Texas A&M was driving down the field with an opportunity to tie the game, but South Carolina managed to get the stop as time expired, securing its fourth consecutive victory.
It has been an impressive turnaround for the Gamecocks, who looked like they were headed toward a disappointing season after their 0-3 start in SEC play. Now, they are playing some of their best football of the year.
Next up, South Carolina will host a struggling Arkansas team. Depending on how Sellers is feeling, this could be an opportunity for him to rest and get healthier before the final stretch of the season. His health will be one of the biggest things to monitor moving forward, as the Gamecocks will need him if they hope to keep this winning streak alive.
No. 7 Missouri Tigers (6-3, 3-3)
As mentioned last week, Missouri remains one of the more difficult teams in the SEC to evaluate because the Tigers do not have one true signature victory on their resume.
Most of Missouri’s wins have come against teams that have either struggled throughout the season or have been inconsistent, including Kansas, Florida, Texas A&M, and Arkansas. The Tigers defeated Florida convincingly, 45-17, but have also suffered some disappointing losses against Mississippi State and Ole Miss.
Most recently, Missouri fell to Texas, 34-20, at home. While the Tigers were unable to pull off the upset, they at least kept the game relatively competitive compared to LSU and Ole Miss, which both suffered more lopsided losses this past weekend.
That is one of the biggest reasons Missouri earns the No. 7 spot despite having the same number of losses as several teams below them. The Tigers have not done enough to establish themselves as one of the SEC’s top programs, but they have shown they can compete against quality opponents.
Next week will provide another major opportunity for Missouri to prove itself, as the Tigers host Georgia. It will be a difficult matchup, but a victory would completely change the perception surrounding the program.
Even if Missouri cannot pull off the upset, keeping the game competitive would be a positive step. For now, the Tigers remain in the top half of the SEC, but their position could change depending on how they perform over the final three games.
No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels (6-3, 4-3)
Ole Miss has been another inconsistent team this season, and that was on full display against Georgia. The Rebels were dominated, 42-7, at home, as the Bulldogs controlled the game from start to finish.
Georgia’s defense was simply too much for Ole Miss to handle. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss struggled to get anything going, finishing 18-of-34 with no touchdowns and one interception. With the game getting out of hand, the Rebels eventually turned to backup quarterback Deuce Knight.
Ole Miss has had some impressive wins this season, including victories over LSU and Missouri at home. The Rebels also have wins over Louisville and Auburn, although both teams have been inconsistent throughout the year.
However, those victories have been balanced out by some disappointing performances. Ole Miss suffered a road loss to Florida and most recently got blown out by Georgia. The Rebels also kept things competitive against Texas on the road but ultimately came up short.
At this point in the season, Ole Miss needs to find more consistency if it hopes to finish strong. The talent is there, but the Rebels have struggled to put together complete performances against quality opponents.
Unfortunately, the schedule does not get any easier next week, as Ole Miss travels to face Oklahoma on Saturday. It will be another important opportunity for the Rebels to respond after a difficult loss to Georgia.
No. 9 LSU Tigers (6-3, 3-3)
LSU falls all the way to No. 9 after getting dominated by Alabama, 31-13, at home. It was a disappointing performance from the Tigers, who never seemed to find their rhythm against the Crimson Tide.
The Alabama defense forced two turnovers, including a fumble and an interception, while also coming up with four stops on fourth down. LSU struggled to capitalize on its opportunities, and the offense was unable to keep pace with Alabama throughout the game.
For fans who entered the season with College Football Playoff hopes under first-year head coach Lane Kiffin, those expectations are now looking increasingly unlikely. LSU has already suffered road losses to both Ole Miss and Kentucky, and the latest defeat against Alabama makes the road ahead even more difficult.
That does not mean the Tigers cannot finish the season on a positive note. LSU still has three games remaining against Texas at home, Tennessee on the road, and Arkansas on the road.
Two of those matchups will be particularly difficult, but the Tigers still have an opportunity to win all three and finish the regular season at 9-3.
For now, LSU will need to go back to the drawing board after a disappointing loss to Alabama. The talent is there, but the Tigers will need to show more consistency if they want to close out the season with some momentum.
No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners (5-4, 3-3)
Oklahoma moves up one spot in the SEC Power Rankings after defeating Florida, 23-7, on the road. Both teams have been inconsistent this season, but the Sooners were able to take care of business and earn an important conference victory.
Quarterback John Mateer threw two touchdown passes, helping Oklahoma put together enough offense to pull away from the Gators. The Sooners also forced two interceptions, making it difficult for Florida to generate any momentum.
Another notable development was the change on Oklahoma’s coaching staff. This was the first game with Jason Witten taking over offensive play-calling duties after former offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle was fired leading up to the Florida matchup.
Oklahoma has had a difficult season, especially considering the expectations surrounding the program entering the year. Its biggest victory remains the win over rival Texas at home. Outside of that result, the Sooners have not put together many performances that truly stand out, although they have also defeated Mississippi State.
At this point, the College Football Playoff is no longer a realistic expectation for Oklahoma. However, the Sooners are just one victory away from becoming bowl-eligible, giving them something to play for over the final stretch.
Next week, Oklahoma will have another opportunity to build momentum as it looks to continue improving under Witten’s play-calling.
No. 11 Florida Gators (5-4, 3-4)
Florida falls one spot in the SEC Power Rankings after suffering a 23-7 loss to Oklahoma at home. The Gators have been one of the more interesting teams in the conference this season, showing flashes of being a quality team but struggling to put together consistent performances.
Against Oklahoma, Florida turned the ball over twice, with both mistakes coming on interceptions. Those turnovers made it difficult for the Gators to keep pace with the Sooners and ultimately contributed to their disappointing home loss.
Despite the latest defeat, Florida does have some impressive wins on its resume. The Gators have defeated Ole Miss at home and Texas on the road, two results that show what this team is capable of when everything comes together.
However, they have also suffered some questionable losses against Missouri, South Carolina, and now Oklahoma. That inconsistency has made it difficult to determine just how good Florida really is.
First-year head coach Jon Sumrall will need to find a way to get his team back on track as the regular season winds down. Florida will travel to face Kentucky next, where the Wildcats will be looking to bounce back after their loss to Tennessee.
The Gators should still have a good opportunity to become bowl-eligible, as they will also face Vanderbilt at home. However, they will need to learn from their mistakes against Oklahoma if they hope to leave Lexington with a victory.
No. 12 Auburn Tigers (5-4, 3-4)
Auburn stays at No. 12 in the SEC Power Rankings after narrowly escaping with a 26-23 victory over Arkansas at home. While the Tigers were able to get the win, it was another game that showed just how inconsistent this team has been throughout the season.
Auburn’s biggest victory remains its 27-24 road win over Georgia, which was one of the biggest upsets in the country at the time. The Tigers also picked up a solid win against Baylor to begin the season.
However, those victories do not erase some of the team’s disappointing losses against Florida, Tennessee, LSU, and Ole Miss. Auburn has had plenty of opportunities to establish itself as a legitimate SEC contender, but it has struggled to put together consistent performances.
Still, there are some positives to take away from the season. First-year head coach Alex Golesh has the Tigers just one win away from becoming bowl-eligible, which would be an important accomplishment for the program.
Auburn now has an opportunity to keep building momentum as it travels to face Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have struggled since starting quarterback Kamario Taylor was ruled out, and the Tigers will look to take advantage of that matchup.
No. 13 Texas A&M Aggies (4-5, 2-5)
Texas A&M has been one of the most disappointing teams in the country this season, and that continued Saturday with a 17-9 loss to South Carolina on the road.
After reaching the College Football Playoff last season, the Aggies have fallen off considerably. Their most recent SEC victory came against Arkansas at home on Oct. 3, and they have struggled to find consistency ever since.
Texas A&M had an opportunity to tie the game against South Carolina late, but the Aggies came up short as time expired while trying to get the ball into the end zone. Had they scored, they would have needed a two-point conversion to tie the game.
Instead, the Gamecocks came up with the stop and handed Texas A&M another disappointing loss.
Unfortunately for the Aggies, the schedule does not get any easier. Tennessee is coming to College Station next week, and the Volunteers have one of the most dangerous defenses in the conference.
Texas A&M has struggled offensively throughout the season, and finding points against Tennessee will not be easy. The Aggies will need a much better performance if they hope to pull off the upset.
With three games remaining, it will be interesting to see how the season ends for Texas A&M. If the Aggies lose all three, they could finish the year at 4-8, which would be a disappointing result after making the College Football Playoff last season.
No. 14 Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-5, 2-5)
Mississippi State continues to struggle following the season-ending injury to star quarterback Kamario Taylor. Taylor was ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 season with a turf toe injury that required surgery, and the Bulldogs have not been the same without him.
Mississippi State has now lost five consecutive games, with its latest defeat coming against Vanderbilt, 25-23, at home. It was especially disappointing considering the Bulldogs started the season 4-0 before losing their next five games.
Even without Taylor, Mississippi State should still be finding ways to win games, especially against teams that have struggled throughout the season. The loss to Vanderbilt was another example of the Bulldogs failing to take advantage of an opportunity.
There is still a chance for Mississippi State to become bowl eligible, but the path will not be easy. The Bulldogs have Auburn and Tennessee Tech at home before traveling to face rival Ole Miss.
They will need to win two of those three games to reach bowl eligibility. For now, Mississippi State has been one of the biggest disappointments in the SEC, and it will be interesting to see whether the Bulldogs can turn things around before the season ends.
No. 15 Arkansas Razorbacks (3-6, 1-5)
Arkansas remains at No. 15 despite suffering a 26-23 loss to Auburn on the road. The Razorbacks kept the game close, but they were unable to come away with the victory and remain near the bottom of the SEC standings.
It has been a disappointing first season for head coach Ryan Silverfield, as Arkansas has struggled to find consistency throughout the year. The Razorbacks have had a few competitive performances, including keeping things close against Tennessee, and they also picked up a victory over Vanderbilt.
That win over Vanderbilt remains an important factor in determining which team belongs at the bottom of these rankings. Although Arkansas has struggled, the Razorbacks have at least done enough to stay ahead of the Commodores.
Next up, Arkansas will host South Carolina, which has been one of the hottest teams in the conference. It will be interesting to see whether LaNorris Sellers is available for the Gamecocks, but even if he is limited, stopping South Carolina’s offense will be a difficult challenge.
The Razorbacks also have Texas on the road and LSU at home to close out the season. With those matchups remaining, Arkansas has a difficult path ahead and could finish the year at 3-9 while ending the season on a five-game losing streak.
No. 16 Vanderbilt Commodores (4-5, 1-5)
Despite picking up a victory over Mississippi State, 25-23, on Saturday, Vanderbilt remains at the bottom of the SEC Power Rankings.
The Commodores did just enough to escape with the win, but there are still plenty of concerns surrounding this team. Their five-star true freshman quarterback finished with 168 passing yards but did not throw a touchdown, as Vanderbilt once again struggled to generate consistent offense.
Since Diego Pavia graduated, the Commodores have not looked the same offensively. The program has had difficulty finding its rhythm, and that has contributed to a disappointing season.
For now, Vanderbilt will hope to see its young quarterback continue to develop and become a better player heading into his sophomore season. There is still plenty of room for improvement, but getting experience during a difficult season could help the program moving forward.
The Commodores have a challenging schedule to finish the year, with road games against Alabama and Florida before hosting Tennessee. None of those matchups will be easy, and Vanderbilt could realistically finish the season at 4-8.
For now, the Commodores remain at No. 16. Although they picked up an important win against Mississippi State, there is still plenty of work to do if they hope to become more competitive in the SEC next season.
