Another Saturday of SEC football gave us more clarity at the top and absolute chaos everywhere else. Georgia proved it is the conference’s best team, Kentucky continued to prove it belongs in the conversation, and several highly ranked teams were exposed.
These rankings are based on what teams have accomplished on the field—not recruiting rankings, preseason expectations or the name on the helmet.
- GEORGIA BULLDOGS
Georgia went into Tuscaloosa and defeated Alabama 20–17. Gunnar Stockton made plays with his arm and legs, Dwight Phillips stepped up in the backfield, and the defense sacked Keelon Russell four times. The undefeated Bulldogs own the conference’s best win and are the clear No. 1 team in the SEC.
- KENTUCKY WILDCATS
It is time to stop calling Kentucky a surprise. The Wildcats have defeated Texas A&M, South Carolina and LSU in consecutive SEC games. Saturday’s 35–34 overtime victory over LSU improved Kentucky to 3–1 in the conference. This team is physical, disciplined and knows how to finish close games.
- ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Alabama lost at home, but it was a three-point loss to the best team in the conference. The Crimson Tide remain one of the SEC’s most talented teams, but Georgia exposed problems along the offensive line and held Keelon Russell to a season-low 185 passing yards.
- MISSOURI TIGERS
Missouri physically dominated Texas A&M in a 27–6 victory. Jamal Roberts rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns after gaining 211 yards against Florida. The Tigers have found their offensive identity, and their defense held the Aggies to 216 total yards and only 29 yards rushing.
- OLE MISS REBELS
Ole Miss responded to its loss at Florida by hammering Vanderbilt 52–17. The Rebels remain one of the most explosive teams in the conference, but they still have to prove they can consistently perform against the SEC’s top teams.
- TEXAS LONGHORNS
Texas entered the weekend ranked No. 1 in the country and lost 27–24 to unranked Oklahoma. Arch Manning threw three touchdown passes, but his two fourth-quarter interceptions helped decide the game. Texas may possess championship talent, but it did not play championship football Saturday.
- TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
Tennessee escaped Fayetteville with a 24–17 victory over Arkansas. It was not impressive, but winning on the road in the SEC still matters. The Volunteers are 5–1, although they continue to look inconsistent offensively.
- MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS
Mississippi State struggled against Alabama last week, but the Bulldogs remain one of the conference’s most improved teams. Kamario Taylor gives them a chance against almost anyone, and this is not a team opponents can afford to overlook.
- OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Oklahoma earned the biggest victory of the Brent Venables era by knocking off No. 1 Texas. The Sooners forced two Arch Manning interceptions, and John Mateer made the throws needed to set up Tate Sandell’s walk-off field goal. For the first time this season, Oklahoma looked like the team many expected it to become.
- LSU TIGERS
LSU has championship talent but is not playing championship football. The Tigers have now lost two conference games after falling 35–34 in overtime at Kentucky. LSU remains dangerous, but it continues to come up short when the pressure is highest.
- SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
South Carolina finally resembled the team many of us expected to see this season. LaNorris Sellers played his ass off, throwing four touchdown passes and adding another score on the ground in a 38–19 victory at Florida.
The Gamecocks were plus-three in the turnover battle, committed no turnovers and finally finished a game. South Carolina earned the right to be ranked ahead of Florida by dominating the Gators on their home field. Now the Gamecocks must prove it was the beginning of a turnaround—not another temporary flash.
- AUBURN TIGERS
Auburn was off this weekend, and I’m still not sure what this team is. The Tigers have shown flashes, but they have not been consistent enough to move into the upper half of the conference.
- FLORIDA GATORS
Florida has gone from one of the hottest teams in the SEC to one of its biggest disappointments. After getting handled by Missouri, the Gators returned home and lost 38–19 to South Carolina.
Florida has now lost two consecutive games by a combined 40 points. Whatever momentum the Gators created earlier in the season is gone.
- TEXAS A&M AGGIES
Texas A&M has lost three of its last four games and was physically whipped by Missouri. The Aggies rushed for only 29 yards and failed to score a touchdown. That is unacceptable for a program with this much talent and money invested in its roster.
- VANDERBILT COMMODORES
Vanderbilt’s promising start is fading quickly. The Commodores were overwhelmed 52–17 by Ole Miss and have now lost three consecutive games.
- ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
Arkansas played Tennessee close, but moral victories do not move a team up the rankings. The Razorbacks have lost 14 consecutive SEC games. Until they prove they can finish one, they belong at the bottom.
BIGGEST RISER: Oklahoma
BIGGEST FALLER: Florida
TEAM TO WATCH: South Carolina
BEST TEAM: Georgia
MY TAKE
Georgia has separated itself from the conference. The Bulldogs went into Tuscaloosa, handled the pressure and beat Alabama with toughness, discipline and defense.
Kentucky is no longer a cute story. Missouri may be the most dangerous team in the conference outside of Georgia, and Oklahoma just forced everyone to take another look at the Sooners.
Texas, LSU, Florida and Texas A&M have the talent to be much better than what they showed Saturday. At some point, reputation no longer matters. You have to produce on the field.
South Carolina earned its way out of the SEC basement by going into Gainesville and beating Florida convincingly. One victory does not erase everything that happened during the first five weeks, but the Gamecocks finally gave us a reason to believe they may be turning the corner.
Right now, Georgia stands alone at the top, several dangerous challengers are fighting underneath the Bulldogs, and the rest of the SEC is absolute chaos.
The road to Atlanta runs through Athens.
