For the first time all season, the top five has stayed the same from week to week. I guess we can say we’re finally starting to understand some of these teams, but to be honest there’s been so much uneven play from week to week, it’s been nearly impossible to really pinpoint which teams are good. The teams that are bad? Well, that’s kinda self-explanatory.
Anyway, let’s get to the rankings…
1. Georgia (last week: 1)
Just when I thought I was in, the Dawgs pushed me back out. Losing Brock Bowers stings, but UGA has the deepest collection of receiver talent I can remember. Hopefully there’s enough there to keep them winning, and a bye this weekend comes just in time.
2. Alabama (last week: 2)
The Tide have been about as frustrating as UGA. They beat Arkansas last week, 24-21, but only after being outscored 15-3 in the second half. Jalen Milroe had 10(!) completions. For the game. I have no idea what to expect from them this weekend against a Tennessee team that’s been equally weird.
3. Ole Miss (last week: 3)
Ole Miss is playing at Auburn this week. Ole Miss is 5-1 and coming off a bye week, while Auburn got pasted 41-18 a week ago by LSU. For reasons I don’t understand, the Rebels are only a 3-point favorite. Seems like free money?
4. LSU (last week: 4)
LSU has scored at least 38 points three weeks in a row, and by most metrics they have the second-best offense in the country. You can also make a good case for Jayden Daniels being the best Heisman candidate (he has 22 TDs against 3 INTs). If LSU’s defense was even just average, they’d have a real shot at contending for a title. They play Army this week before going to Alabama next week.
5. Missouri (last week: 5)
I’ve been big on Mizzou all season, and I thought the way they hung around against Kentucky last week before busting out an 18-0 fourth quarter to win it going away was great. This Missouri team has a lot of moxie, and to me they’re right there with LSU, even if they did lose a close one to LSU just a few weeks ago.
6. Tennessee (last week: 8)
OK, Vols, this is your chance. You squeaked out a win last week against Texas A&M, and this week you go to Tuscaloosa to play against an Alabama team that has been, to be polite, offensively challenged. Make us believe, Tennessee!
7. Texas A&M (last week: 6)
What’s the problem with Texas A&M? Too much farting, apparently…
8. Kentucky (last week: 7)
Kentucky is now a rugby school
9. Florida (last week: 10)
Considering how bad Florida has looked this season, it’s kinda wild they’re currently in second place in the SEC East. I like how they finally gave up on the run last week against South Carolina and let Graham Mertz cook. Not sure if that’s the recipe going forward or not.
10. South Carolina (last week: 10)
Meanwhile, SC is now 2-4 and their coach broke his dang foot after blowing a fourth quarter lead to Florida. I don’t think that’s the kind of kick Carolina needs this week against Missouri, either.
11. Arkansas (last week: 9)
The Razorbacks have lost five straight, but only one of those was by more than double digits (vs. TAMU, 34-21), and they lost the last two weeks at Bama and Ole Miss by a combined 10 points. The good news is their next four games are against unranked opponents.
12. Auburn (last week: 12)
Auburn is dead last in the SEC in points per game (27.7), just a tick below Vanderbilt. Pretty sure that’s not why Hugh Freeze was brought in.
13. Mississippi State (last week: 13)
They gotta win one of these next two against Arkansas or Auburn. Right?
14. Vanderbilt (last week: 14)
At least they only lost to UGA by 17?