Three weeks to go.
The SEC and all its conference title and CFP contenders have just three more weeks to make or break their records and resumes. There were no big elimination games and top-15 vs top-15 clashes like in Week 10, but Week 11 saw the heavyweights take care of business.
None of their business trips were close or dramatic, but 2-loss Vanderbilt needed an overtime TD pass just to stay within striking distance of the heavyweights when they hosted Auburn and gave up more points to them than
almost any other team the Tigers have played all year.
Regardless of how close it is or how unimpressive, this time of year, it’s all about just stayin’ alive. Let’s get into this week’s SEC power rankings:
1. Texas A&M (6-0, 9-0)
Previous Rank: 1.
Texas A&M is 9-0 now, still unbeaten and looking like they’ll stay that way till the Texas game on the 28th. They’re rapidly approaching “playoff lock” status, one could say.
2. Alabama (6-0, 8-1)
Previous Rank: 2.
Alabama rolled past LSU with a stout defense to improve its winning streak to eight. Their next game, hosting the Oklahoma Sooners, might be a tricky test, but they do have homefield advantage.
3. Georgia (6-1, 8-1)
Previous Rank: 3.
The Bulldogs didn’t need any late-game heroics this time against Mississippi State, as they jumped out on them early and never looked back in a 41-21 road win. Now, they have to get ready for a rapidly improving Texas team that is coming to Athens next weekend.
4. Ole Miss (5-1, 9-1)
Previous Rank: 4.
The Rebels got a break from SEC action to play around with The Citadel from the FCS and shut them out 49-0. They’ll return to conference competition next week against Florida for their last game before the Egg Bowl.
5. Texas (4-1, 7-2)
Previous Rank: 5.
The Longhorns were off in Week 11, savoring their Vanderbilt victory and preparing for the upcoming Georgia battle. They’re on a four-game winning streak and looking to keep every bit of that momentum rolling as they push for a playoff bid.
6. Oklahoma (3-2, 7-2)
Previous Rank: 6.
The Sooners were off this week, prepping for their biggest game of the season. The difference between playoff and no playoff is next week’s showdown in Tuscaloosa with the Crimson Tide.
7. Vanderbilt (4-2, 8-2)
Previous Rank: 7.
Something was definitely off for the Commodores as they faced Auburn in the Tigers’ first game without Hugh Freeze. It almost proved disastrous, but they climbed out of the early hole they dug themselves into at halftime and escaped in overtime 45-38. They get a week off now before hosting the suddenly pulsing Kentucky.
8. Tennessee (3-3, 6-3)
Previous Rank: 8.
Tennessee was off in Week 11, and in Week 12, it will get a non-conference break. The Vols will host New Mexico State before games with Florida and Vandy to finish the year.
9. Missouri (2-3, 6-3)
Previous Rank: 9.
Like many other challengers, the Tigers were overwhelmed by the #1 Aggies even though they had home-field advantage. Next week, they’ll host Mississippi State in a game that would be far more costly to lose in front of the fans.
10. Kentucky (2-5, 4-5)
Previous Rank: 14.
Kentucky wins! Again! In their most impressive and complete performance of the season, the Wildcats came at Florida with force and overwhelmed the Gators 38-7. It was their largest margin of victory in an SEC game since 1998, which is mind-boggling considering Florida almost beat Georgia just one week before.
Now, there’s an FCS opportunity for the Cats to hit 5-5 against Tennessee Tech, and then it’s trying to split Vandy and Louisville for a bowl bid nobody would’ve predicted last month.
11. LSU (2-4, 5-4)
Previous Rank: 11.
LSU lost to Alabama in its first game without Brian Kelly. With games against Arkansas, Western Kentucky, and Oklahoma to finish the backstretch, they should make a bowl, but how good of a bowl will depend on how motivated they are each of the next three weeks.
12. Mississippi State (1-5, 5-5)
Previous Rank: 12.
The Bulldogs didn’t challenge Georgia much, but next week, they get a slightly less difficult challenge when they head to Missouri. If they win that a bowl bid’s locked up, but if not they’re going to have to earn it from Ole Miss.
13. South Carolina (1-6, 3-6)
Previous Rank: 13.
The Gamecocks had the week off to prepare for Texas A&M. I don’t think it’ll make much of a difference in the outcome, though. After that it’s Coastal Carolina and Clemson to finish the year, but regardless a bowl bid won’t happen without an upset over the Aggies.
14. Auburn (1-6, 4-6)
Previous Rank: 15.
There’s been a trend this season for teams firing their coaches and then playing excellent football the next week. It wasn’t quite enough in Nashville for the Tigers, though, and Mercer from the FCS awaits them next after Auburn’s bye. The Tigers better use that bye well to prep and train—even though they almost beat Vandy, they really stink.
15. Florida (2-4, 3-6)
Previous Rank: 10.
Three picks, one fumble, two turnovers on downs, and three punts equal one fat blowout road loss, and that’s exactly what the Gators got in Lexington, Kentucky. It used to be Florida was the team UK never, ever beat. Now, they’re one of the only teams UK does beat. Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Florida State are all up next, and if the Gators aren’t careful, they might crater to 3-9 for a total flameout.
16. Arkansas (0-5, 2-7)
Previous Rank: 16.
Arkansas had the week off, which it badly needed after its seventh loss in a row. They might go from starting 2-0 to finishing 2-10. That would be quite the belly-flop.
