After a big showing for the conference last weekend to open the 2026 season, the SEC was right back in the college football national spotlight yet again in Week 2.
This past weekend's slate was headlined by two huge SEC vs. Big Ten matchups, both of which ended up being the talk of the sport Saturday. In addition to those two games, SEC play also began in Week 2, as one conference game was played, while a number of other teams were also matched up against notable nonconference foes.
Following are the latest SEC football power rankings entering Week 3, which takes a look at how each team played in Week 2, as well as what lies ahead this Saturday.
16. Arkansas Razorbacks
- Previous Ranking: No. 16
Arkansas (1-1 overall, 0-0 SEC) suffered their first loss of the season on the road at Utah. The Razorbacks
were hurt by a 22-point second quarter from Utah, making it a 29-3 halftime deficit they were never able to overcome.
Next up for Arkansas is the Razorbacks' SEC opener against Georgia at home in Week 3.
15. Kentucky Wildcats
- Previous Ranking: No. 15
Kentucky (1-1, 0-1) became the first SEC team to lose a conference game this season with a 45-17 loss at home to Alabama. The Wildcats struggled offensively in the loss, but did still lead Alabama at halftime before being shutout in the second half, 32-0.
Week 3 will mark not only another SEC game for Kentucky against Texas A&M, but it will be the Wildcats' first game away from home this season.
14. South Carolina Gamecocks
- Previous Ranking: No. 14
South Carolina (2-0, 0-0) did as expected in Week 2 by routing Towson at home, 45-9. This was a huge showing for the Gamecocks on the ground by rushing for 405 yards as a team, headlined by 100+ each from Matt Fuller and LaNorris Sellers.
The Gamecocks will remain at home in Week 3 to open SEC play against Mississippi State.
13. Vanderbilt Commodores
- Previous Ranking: No. 13
Vanderbilt (2-0, 0-0) was back in the win column Saturday with a 35-26 home win over Delaware. The Commodores were led by a big defensive showing which included six sacks as a team, as well as two forced turnovers.
One final nonconference matchup awaits Vanderbilt in Week 3, hosting NC State in a SEC vs. ACC showdown.
12. Auburn Tigers
- Previous Ranking: No. 12
Auburn (2-0, 0-0) won their first home game of the season over Southern Miss, 43-8. The Tigers ran for 343 yards as a team in the win, 108 of which came from running back Omar Mabson.
Next up for Auburn is the start of SEC play which includes Florida coming to the plains in Week 3.
11. Mississippi State Bulldogs
- Previous Ranking: No. 11
Mississippi State (2-0, 0-0) may have had one of the SEC's more underrated wins of Week 2, going on the road to defeat Minnesota, 38-13. Kamario Taylor had another big performance by throwing three touchdown passes, while Fluff Bothwell also rushed for 113 yards and two scores.
The Bulldogs will travel yet again in Week 3, this time to South Carolina for their SEC opener.
10. Florida Gators
- Previous Ranking: No. 10
Florida (2-0, 0-0) took care of business at home with a 52-3 rout of Campbell. Jadan Baugh led the Gators with a two rushing touchdown performance in the win, while Aaron Philo also threw for two scores.
The Gators are now set for their toughest test yet, a road trip to Auburn in Week 3.
9. Missouri Tigers
- Previous Ranking: No. 9
Missouri (2-0, 0-0) opened Week 2 for the SEC with a big nonconference rivalry win Friday night at Kansas, 38-21. A number of Missouri players impressed offensively against Kansas such as Austin Simmons, Jamal Roberts, Donovan Olugbode, and Cayden Lee, while the Tigers defense also had a big showing, forcing three turnovers.
The Tigers return home in Week 3 for one final nonconference game against Troy.
8. Oklahoma Sooners
- Previous Ranking: No. 7
Oklahoma (1-1, 0-0) suffered the SEC's first defeat of the 2026 season when the Sooners were upset Saturday on the road at Michigan, 17-10. A defensive game, the Sooners struggled to get going at times offensively in the loss, and had two turnovers compared to zero for Michigan, one of which was a John Mateer interception.
The Sooners will return home in Week 3 as big favorites against New Mexico.
7. Tennessee Volunteers
- Previous Ranking: No. 8
Tennessee (2-0, 0-0) picked up a big win over an ACC team Saturday by defeating Georgia Tech in Atlanta, 45-24. DeSean Bishop had a monster showing by rushing for 147 yards and two touchdowns, while Faizon Brandon also had a solid showing at quarterback, throwing for two scores.
The Volunteers return home in Week 3 for a final nonconference showdown against Kennesaw State.
6. Alabama Crimson Tide
- Previous Ranking: No. 6
Alabama (2-0, 1-0) became the first SEC team to pickup a conference win this season with a 45-17 win at Kentucky in Week 2. Led by a stellar performance from linebacker Caleb Woodson, the Crimson Tide defense was the story in the win by limiting Kentucky's offense to 1-of-14 on third downs, while also forcing three turnovers.
The Crimson Tide return home in Week 3 for a big SEC vs. ACC nonconference showdown against Florida State.
5. Texas A&M Aggies
- Previous Ranking: No. 5
Texas A&M (2-0, 0-0) was challenged for the first time in Week 2, a test which they passed at home against Arizona State, 48-20. The Aggies used a big fourth quarter to eventually pull away late in the matchup, a span that included a pair of pick six's from both of Marco Jones and Julio Humphrey.
SEC play arrives for Texas A&M in Week 3 as the Aggies host Kentucky in College Station.
4. LSU Tigers
- Previous Ranking: No. 4
LSU (2-0, 0-0) picked up yet another sizable home win Saturday with a 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech. A game that LSU led only 10-7 at halftime, the Tigers racked up over 500+ yards of total offense, but also struggled at times with turnovers by committing four, three of which were Sam Leavitt interceptions.
The Tigers will now travel to Oxford for college football's headline game of Week 3, as Lane Kiffin returns to Ole Miss for the first time as LSU's head coach.
3. Ole Miss Rebels
- Previous Ranking: No. 3
Ole Miss (2-0, 0-0) opened their home schedule with a 41-9 rout of Charlotte. The Rebels claimed an early lead in the win, in part due to two touchdowns each from Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy.
Oxford will host college football's top Week 3 game as Ole Miss hosts LSU.
2. Texas Longhorns
- Previous Ranking: No. 2
The Longhorns had likely the biggest win of Week 2, as Texas (2-0, 0-0) defeated top-ranked Ohio State in Austin, 24-23. Texas trailed for a vast majority of the matchup, but used a 21-0 edge in the fourth quarter, as well as two touchdowns from Hollywood Smothers to complete a memorable comeback.
One final nonconference game awaits Texas in Week 3 as the Longhorns host UTSA.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
- Previous Ranking: No. 1
Georgia (2-0, 0-0) steamrolled Western Kentucky in Athens on Saturday to remain in the top spot this week, 70-20. The Bulldogs' defense forced four turnovers in the win, while quarterback Gunner Stockton had a huge showing by throwing for five touchdowns.
Next up for Georgia is the Bulldogs' SEC opener this upcoming Saturday afternoon at Arkansas.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: SEC Power Rankings: Where Texas, Alabama sit following big Week 2 wins
