The SEC regular season has ended, and there is only one SEC game remaining—the title game on Saturday between Georgia and Alabama. Being that next week’s rankings can really only include one move—if Bama manages to beat UGA—I think next week we’ll close out the GCM Power Poll with some awards. For now, let’s check the rankings.
And remember! As always, this ranking isn’t just about who beat whom, it’s a list of which programs I think are the strongest at any given moment. (Or the most powerful, since it is a power ranking.)
1. Georgia (last week: 1)
Georgia did just enough to beat Georgia Tech last week, while simultaneously resting several offensive players. The key against Alabama will be if the Tide can get Jalen Milroe on the move. If he just sits in the pocket, it plays right into UGA’s strengths.
2. Alabama (last week: 2)
Milroe has to be a front-runner for SEC Play of the Year with that ridiculous fourth-and-31 touchdown pass against Auburn last week. I made my entire family stop what they were doing and look up at the TV to watch before it happened, since I knew ridiculous things were somehow liable to occur in this rivalry. And they did.
3. Missouri (last week: 3)
What a season for the Tigers. Like I’ve said before, I hope they’re able to keep their core together, and maybe even add a few pieces, instead of things going the other way for them.
4. Ole Miss (last week: 4)
For those of us without a rooting interest, at least the Egg Bowl was interesting into the fourth quarter. For those of y’all who cared, I’m sorry Ole Miss couldn’t put Mississippi State away until the fourth quarter.
5. LSU (last week: 4)
Three straight wins to close out their season and finish 9-3. A bowl game win with would make them 20-7 in Brian Kelly’s first two seasons, including a visit to the SEC Championship Game. Which is pretty good! For anywhere but LSU. Can they find a defense by next season?
6. Tennessee (last week: 7)
I watched way more of the Tennessee/Vandy game than I should have, hoping to see freshman Nico Iamaleava get some serious playing time. But instead, it was mostly a week where Joe Milton got to run up his stat totals, with just a whiff of Nico. Wait until next year, I guess.
7. Kentucky (last week: 9)
Finishing 7-5 is pretty much perfect for this Kentucky team, which was aggressively mediocre all season long. And the good news? Mark Stoops is staying! Continued mediocrity!
8. Texas A&M (last week: 6)
Where to start? Good luck, Mike Elko!
9. Florida (last week: 10)
For the first time in forever, shoutout “Frozen,” last week I found myself watching a Florida game and rooting for the Gators, as I wanted to see what would happen if FSU got knocked out of the playoff picture. But alas, Florida gonna Florida, and they couldn’t keep up with FSU in the fourth quarter. Finishing the season with five straight losses and missing bowl eligibility ain’t good, coach.
10. Auburn (last week: 8)
Hugh Freeze almost pulled off another Hugh Freeze miracle. Pretty interested to see what Auburn’s offseason looks like, and if Freeze can find a competent passer either via recruiting or the portal.
11. South Carolina (last week: 9)
Finishing the season with a loss to Clemson felt like a logical end to the Spencer Rattler era. What’s next for the Gamecocks?
12. Arkansas (last week: 12)
Good God, that’s Bobby Petrino’s music!
13. Mississippi State (last week: 13)
I don’t know much about new coach Jeff Lebby, except that for most of the season all I saw was Oklahoma fans complaining about him on Twitter. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. For now.
14. Vanderbilt (last week: 14)
Anchor. Down.