SEC Power Rankings After Week 5

Week 5 was the first of this season to feature a full slate of SEC matchups. The top half of the conference is separating itself from the bottom half in these SEC Power Rankings. With each passing gameday we’re learning who the pretenders and the serious contenders are. Missouri and Kentucky are both still undefeated and could cause some problems in the East. Is there a true front-runner in the West?

Meanwhile, rumors are buzzing about a couple of head coaching jobs in the conference. Should Sam Pittman be on the hotseat? On paper, a 12-point loss to Texas A&M isn’t that bad, but after watching Saturday’s game I’m not at all convinced the Pitt Boss’ job is safe. This team has way too much talent to look how they’ve looked in 2 of the last 3 weekends.

I think it’s safe to assume questions are being asked in the athletic department on the Hill. Losing these past 3 games is excusable, but losing them in the way  the Hogs have is absolutely unacceptable.

1. Georgia 5-0 (2-0)

at Auburn- W 27-20

Another week, another painfully slow start for Georgia. In a thriller, they managed to pull the win out against Auburn at Jordan-Hare. While the Bulldogs are looking like the best team in the conference again, there isn’t that much of a gap between them and the next few teams. Carson Beck had a great second half. Tight end Brock Bowers should be a Heisman candidate.

2. Alabama 4-1 (2-0) 1

at Mississippi State- W 40-17

Alabama gets a convincing win against an unconvincing Mississippi State team that is searching desperately for answers. The Crimson Tide offense is interesting to watch, but it has plenty of issues. While the defense isn’t much of a concern, that offense is going to have to improve to win the bigger games. Quarterback Jalen Milroe and running back Jase McClellan both looked nice on the ground.

3. Ole Miss 4-1 (1-1)  2

vs. LSU- W 55-49

In what will probably go down as the best team offensive performance of this SEC season, Ole Miss got a win against a defensively struggling LSU squad. 706 yards of total offense (317 rushing) is no easy mark to meet. Lane Kiffin has got things cooking. After that outing, Ole Miss climbs a little higher in the SEC Power Rankings. On the other hand, where was the defense? The Rebels can’t expect to have this great of an offensive performance against every SEC team.

4. Texas A&M 4-1 (2-0)

vs. Arkansas- W 34-22

Regardless of many mistakes and multiple turnovers, the Aggies cruised to a victory over the spiraling Razorbacks. Max Johnson is playing well under the Bobby Petrino/Jimbo Fisher offensive scheme. The defensive line of Texas A&M is top 3 in the conference. That group had a field day against the struggling Arkansas offensive line.

5. LSU 3-2 (2-1)3

at Ole Miss- L 55-49

Sliding down the SEC Power Rankings ladder: the LSU Tigers. With a good offensive performance, the defense was absent. LSU had no answer for the Ole Miss offense as a whole, especially in the run game. This team is still good, but has to improve defensively or they will lose to other talented squads in a similar fashion.

6. Missouri 5-0 (1-0) 1

at Vanderbilt- W 38-21

What more can I say? With the highest overall climb over the course of this season in the SEC Power Rankings, Missouri just keeps on winning. The best way to tick off an Arkansas fan? Have Arkansas lose to A&M, Missouri advance to 5-0, and Missouri gain a Pine Bluff, AR native defensive back commitment all in the same day. Brady Cook is also looking great at quarterback.

7. Kentucky 5-0 (2-0) 2

vs. Florida- W 33-14

The Kroger Field environment was electric and the Wildcats delivered accordingly. They came out of the gate and hit Florida with a couple of haymakers early on. Kentucky never looked back and won this game without much of a fight from the Gators. What is the ceiling for this Kentucky team if they continue to play like this? Let’s hope they don’t regress back to being the nonconference Wildcats we saw earlier this season.

8. Tennessee 4-1 (1-1)2

vs. South Carolina- W 41-20

Sometimes you look solid and still drop in the SEC Power Rankings. Sadly, this week was one of those weeks for Tennessee. They didn’t look amazing, but they got the job done. The run game is clicking well, but Joe Milton III has to get going for this team to be a contender in the SEC East.

9. Auburn 3-2 (0-2) 3

vs. Georgia L 27-20

When 5 different teams looked horrible in the same weekend, it helps to play closely with the top “Dawgs”.  Auburn took Georgia down to the wire. The game was tied heading into the fourth quarter. Auburn could have won this game. Payton Thorne’s inability to get the passing game going smoothly is the pitfall of this team. Jarquez Hunter is an elite halfback, but you’ve got to throw the ball well to win in this league.

10. Florida 3-2 (1-1)2

at Kentucky- L 33-14

Florida looked unprepared for the Kentucky rushing attack. Actually, they just looked unprepared as a whole. Gator fans must be absolutely thrilled at the sight of being nearly blown out by Kentucky right after that victory over a ranked Tennessee team. The Florida rollercoaster of a season continues. Graham Mertz looks better each week, but this team’s ability to run the football has regressed.

11. South Carolina 2-3 (1-2)

at Tennessee- L 41-20

Spencer Rattler is the best player on this team. His offensive line hands him no favors (familiar…isn’t it), but he manages to make plays nonetheless. The defense is in need of major tweaks. With another loss or two, Beamer’s coaching job will be in question.

12. Arkansas 2-3 (0-2)2

vs. Texas A&M- L 34-22

Plummeting down the SEC Power Rankings is Arkansas, who somehow managed to lose yet another game. Texas A&M made countless mistakes giving Arkansas many chances to take the lead in this ball game. The Arkansas offense sputtered and stalled virtually all game long. Offensive tackle is a major worry. Apart from that, Sam Pittman should start worrying about his job. It’s possible that a couple more losses in a row could green-light the end of his tenure as the head Hog. The return of Rocket Sanders felt good, but didn’t provide the offense with a much-needed spark.

13. Mississippi State 2-3 (0-3)

vs. Alabama- L 40-17

Zach Arnett could get fired before the end of his first season in Starkville. This team is somehow worse than Arkansas this year. While Arkansas’ issues aren’t entirely talent-related…Mississippi State’s might be. Coaching is certainly affecting their performance, but the Bulldogs just don’t have the defensive skill to keep them in games with the better teams in the SEC. Will Rogers had a rough game, but this was against a resilient Alabama defense. For Zach Arnett to keep his job, his Bulldogs have got to find a way to win at least a couple more games this season.

14. Vanderbilt 2-4 (0-2)

vs. Missouri- L 38-21

Once again sitting in last place in the SEC Power Rankings is Vanderbilt. While this was a somewhat competitive showing, the Commodores are still just a few steps away. The defense is horrendous. Offensively, they may as well have not even tried to run the football. Low consistency, low effort, and low level of play is how you end up at 2-10 or at 3-9 on a given season. Vanderbilt is heading straight for an overall record like that with how they’ve been playing.

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