SEC Power Rankings After Week 9

Following Week 9 of the college football season, the SEC Power Rankings won’t change much. Many of the top teams didn’t play this past Saturday. The best game was without a doubt Tennessee-Kentucky.

For the first time since Week 2, Arkansas fans got to watch college football without having to endure another Razorback loss. The idle week was much needed, especially with the offensive coordinator change-up. Next Saturday, the Hogs will travel to the Swamp to face Florida.

1. Georgia 8-0 (5-0)

vs. Florida- W 43-20

In Georgia’s first game without tight-end standout Brock Bowers (season-ending ankle injury), the Dawgs dominated. The offense was operating like a well-oiled machine and the defense allowed just 7 points through the first 3 quarters. Georgia is playing like the best team in all the land, even without their most potent offensive weapon. The next three games will be a true gauntlet for Georgia, though. Playing Missouri, Ole Miss, and Tennessee in consecutive weeks is tough.

2. Alabama 7-1 (5-0)

Bye

3. LSU 6-2 (4-1)

Bye

4. Missouri 7-1 (3-1)

Bye

5. Ole Miss 7-1 (4-1)

vs. Vanderbilt- W 33-7

It seemed like Vanderbilt just kept hanging around and trying to get back into the game. Ole Miss ended up closing the deal late. Quinshon Judkins had a big game, racking up 124 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.

6. Tennessee 6-2 (3-2) 1

at Kentucky- W 33-27

This one was really close, but it genuinely seemed like the better football team came out on top. Tennessee had a great offensive showing. That running game is lethal.

7. Texas A&M 5-3 (3-2) 1

vs. South Carolina- W 30-17

Another game where an inferior team hung around was this one. The Aggies just couldn’t put South Carolina away. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is probably going to be a first-round pick in the NFL draft.

8. Florida 5-3 (3-2)2

vs. Georgia- L 43-20

Bad showing on offense for the Gators. Florida just wasn’t good enough to compete for four quarters with Georgia this year, plain and simple. I almost hate to move them downward in the SEC Power Rankings, but I just don’t think they’re better than any of the teams above them right now.

9. Kentucky 5-3 (2-3)

vs. Tennessee- L 33-27

Kentucky struggled to run the football and it really hurt their offense situationally. After being one of the more dominant SEC rushing offenses earlier this season, the Wildcats have had a much harder time recently. This streak of losses could continue to spiral if Coach Stoops doesn’t re-ignite the motivational fire under this team quickly.

10. Auburn 4-4 (1-4) 1

vs. Mississippi State- W 27-13

Auburn played their best all-around game of the season and secured a big win for Hugh Freeze. This game marks his first victory in conference play as Auburn’s head coach. Payton Thorne looked great. What does that say about the Arkansas offense, KJ Jefferson, and Dan Enos?

11. Mississippi State 4-4 (1-4)1

at Auburn- L 27-13

How did Arkansas only score three points on this team? Dan Enos doesn’t have a single argument to email students back and forth with about. What we’ve seen from the Arkansas offense is just pitiful.

Anyways, Mississippi State has serious issues of their own. Sure, they’re still without starting quarterback Will Rogers. The defense shouldn’t have allowed a lot of the big plays they gave up in the first half. Coach Arnett may be on the hotseat, but I think Bulldog fans should give him some more time.

12. South Carolina 2-6 (1-5)

at Texas A&M- L 30-17

Watching this game, I almost felt like I was watching Arkansas play. South Carolina allows a lot of pressure on their quarterback and runs many long-developing passing routes. Hey, at least the Gamecocks could sort of get the running game going.

I was a supporter of South Carolina in the pre-season but it seems like they just can’t protect Spencer Rattler well enough to sustain the offense. Week in and week out he is running for his life and taking a lot of sacks. Sounds real familiar…doesn’t it?

13. Arkansas 2-6 (0-5)

Bye

14. Vanderbilt 2-7 (0-5)

at Ole Miss- L 33-7

Will Vanderbilt win another game this year? Probably not. That should cement them at the bottom of the SEC Power Rankings…unless our Hogs find a way to look even worse.