There are technically eight teams who could be in the College Football Playoff race right now from the Southeastern Conference, although only four have fewer than two losses. That sets up what should be an epic November for what has been a wild season in the league. Let’s break it down here with our SEC Power Rankings following Week 9.
16. Mississippi State
Jeff Lebby’s team was showing signs of improvement for weeks, enough that they should have been able to give the Arkansas Razorbacks a scare at home. Instead, they got blown out, giving up over 50 points, so they’re back to where they were earlier in the season, at the bottom of this list.
15. Kentucky
You can make a case for the Wildcats being at the bottom of our SEC Power Rankings after the way they lost to the Auburn Tigers. Either Way, Mark Stoops’ team joins MSU as the two clear-cut worst teams in the league right now, but UK may be the only one that has quit.
14. Auburn
Hugh Freeze seemed to have a team that quit, but they managed to score a big two-touchdown victory over the weekend against Kentucky, and that moved the Tigers out of the bottom of our SEC Power Rankings. Don’t worry, though. They’re still one of the worst teams in the league.
13. Oklahoma
Wheels continue to come off the bus for Brent Venables’ Sooners, and firing offensive coordinator Seth Littrell wasn’t going to change that. OU has way too many offensive issues, and it’s only a matter of time before the defense wilts having to carry the whole team while still losing each week.
12. Florida
Billy Napier and the Gators were just turning a corner, and then they reached their bye week. Now, at 4-4, a bowl berth is potentially in play with the Florida State Seminoles on the schedule. Somehow, though, they’ll have to upset either the Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns, LSU Tigers or Ole Miss Rebels. At least LSU and Ole Miss are at home.
11. South Carolina
Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks are rolling strong coming off a bye week just as Florida is. They are two plays away from 6-1. Still, at 4-3, they have a bowl berth to play for as well, and if their offense can stay at the level it was at the two games before they went on a bye, they should be a lock to reach one.
10. Arkansas
Just like South Carolina, the Razorbacks are two plays away from having one loss. Blowing out MSU shows how far Sam Pittman’s team has come. They have that impressive win over the Tennessee Vols in their back pocket, and at 5-3, they are even closer to a bowl bid. Three of their final four games are against top 25 teams, though, so watch out.
9. Vanderbilt
Yes, the Commodores are remaining in the top 10 of our SEC Power Rankings, and again, just like South Carolina and Arkansas, they are two plays away from having just one loss. Like the Hogs, they are 5-3 with a quality win in their back pocket, in their case the Alabama Crimson Tide, and they are about to face two straight unranked teams.
8. Missouri
Eli Drinkwitz continues to lead the most fraudulent team in the league, but technically they have two losses and remain in the CFP race amidst the easiest schedule in the league. Beating Vandy in overtime keeps them barely ahead in our SEC Power Rankings, and they do have a bye now, but it’s hard to see this lasting.
7. Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin deserves credit for his mercenary Rebels not quitting on him after two losses. Coming off a bye, the defense showed up, and they secured a huge win over Oklahoma. Now, with just two losses, they belong in the top half of the league, and they still have a lot to play for and the talent to achieve those goals.
6. LSU
Brian Kelly choked in a big game once again. The Tigers’ defensive woes remain unfixed, and with Garrett Nussmeier still developing as a quarterback, that was naturally going to lead to them struggling at Kyle Field last week. While they are a clear tier above Ole Miss, only one spot can separate them in our SEC Power Rankings.
5. Texas
One week after a bad loss at home to Georgia, the Longhorns then struggled to beat Vandy on the road. They got by on a bad call. As a result, Steve Sarkisian’s team, which clearly has a quarterback controversy, falls again in our SEC Power Rankings. The wheels could come off them soon enough.
4. Alabama
Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide reminded the world who they are with their blowout win over Mizzou. They have two losses to Texas’ one, the difference being who won at Vandy, but again, Texas got by on awful officiating, and right now, after last weekend, Bama is playing better.
3. Tennessee
Beating Bama and then entering a bye week is the perfect scenario for the Volunteers, as Rocky Top now has three home games against unranked teams. He doesn’t lose those type of games. As a result, UT is in prime position to reach the College Football Playoff at 6-1, and they may just now be hitting their stride.
2. Georgia
Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs got a much-needed bye ahead of their stretch run that starts against a rejuvenated Florida team. They are clearly the most talented group of players in the league, and they have the best resume of anybody, but that doesn’t put them at the top right now.
1. Texas A&M
After a huge win over LSU, the Aggies are playing together better than any team in the league. Mike Elko is the smartest coach in the SEC, he’s got comparable talent because of what Jimbo Fisher left, and he has established a culture that’s working. That puts them atop our SEC Power Rankings for now.
