SEC Power Rankings: Georgia reasserts its dominance, LSU takes charge in West

A massive weekend of action in the SEC ended with a new leader emerging in the SEC West … and Georgia reclaiming its spot atop the SEC Power Rankings after one of the most impressive wins of the season.

LSU was able to upend Alabama in overtime in Baton Rouge, staking serious claim to leadership of the SEC West. If the Tigers win out, they’ll be in Atlanta to face (presumably) the Bulldogs. All Georgia has to do to lock up a spot in Atlanta is win one of its two remaining conference games.

Let’s unpackage a handful of matchups in the SEC from the weekend.

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Today we update the SEC Power Rankings following Week 10 games.

2022 SEC Power Rankings – Week 10

1. Georgia (+1)

Given how Georgia had been on cruise control through the middle portion of its schedule and Tennessee had racked up the most impressive win of the season against Alabama, it made sense to have the Volunteers ahead in our rankings. Until Saturday. The Bulldogs thoroughly disavowed everyone of the notion that any other team is the team to beat this year in a dominant-from-start-to-finish 27-13 win Saturday.

2. Tennessee (-1)

As thoroughly as Tennessee was taken down on Saturday, it’s easy to forget that just under a month ago the Volunteers took the Tigers to the woodshed in Baton Rouge. For that reason it’s impossible for Tennessee to fall any further right now. Saturday showed the defense still needs some work, while a couple bumps and bruises at the skill spots on offense linger as a concern going forward.

3. LSU (+1)

Having said the above, the Tigers have been a completely different team the last few weeks. That’s two straight wins over top-10 teams, as well as a road win against a Florida team that’s probably a bit better than its record indicates. Brian Kelly is in the middle of one of the best coaching jobs in the country and LSU is firmly in the driver’s seat in the SEC West now.

4. Ole Miss (+1)

Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin will get a chance to compound Alabama’s misery this week, fresh off a bye. And the Rebels are certainly capable of doing just that, especially with Alabama’s defense thin in the front seven right now and not doing nearly as good a job stopping the run as earlier in the season.

5. Alabama (-2)

Give Alabama credit for fighting tooth and nail, but that’s two games the Crimson Tide haven’t been able to pull out down the stretch now. And given the Tide have survived some similar close calls, this squad having two losses currently is probably about right. Bryce Young and the offense just aren’t quite clicking the way they need to be in the passing game.

6. South Carolina (+1)

Shane Beamer‘s squad did a nice job bouncing back from last week’s loss at home to Missouri, hitting the road and knocking off Vanderbilt 38-27. The Gamecocks earned bowl eligibility with three games still left to play, as quarterback Spencer Rattler threw three touchdown passes. It might have been a different story Saturday if not for four Vanderbilt turnovers in the game.

7. Kentucky (+1)

Like South Carolina, Kentucky managed to bounce back from a humbling loss the week before. The Wildcats also did it on the road, winning 21-17 against a Missouri Tigers team that has given plenty of good opponents a hard time. Will Levis threw three touchdown passes and running back Chris Rodriguez ran for 112 yards in a very defensive affair.

8. Mississippi State (+1)

Mississippi State nearly dropped a game that would have caused it to fall multiple spots in our SEC Power Rankings, narrowly pulling out an overtime win over Auburn. The Bulldogs built a 24-3 lead before allowing the Tigers to eventually take the lead. But the defense stepped up when it needed to, coming up with a stop in overtime that led to a missed Auburn field goal. Then Mississippi State punched it in with a 6-yard Jo’Quavious Marks touchdown to walk off with the 39-33 win.

9. Florida (+1)

Defense was optional in the first half before Florida settled in and really got after Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King in the second half. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson was very good and helped get the Gators going with an early 60-yard touchdown run. Florida still needs to win another game to become bowl eligible, but there are three reasonable opportunities: South Carolina, at Vanderbilt and at Florida State.

10. Arkansas (-4)

Liberty beat Arkansas 21-19 on Saturday, stopping a tying two-point conversion attempt in the final two minutes to hang on. Honestly, the result probably says more about the Flames and coach Hugh Freeze than anything about the Razorbacks, who have really struggled with injuries this year. The Hogs outgained the Flames by more than 100 yards but were just 4-of-16 on third down, a real killer. Arkansas needs one more win for bowl eligibility, but the next two are against LSU and Ole Miss before a finale on the road at Missouri.

11. Missouri

In a defensive struggle against Kentucky it was a bizarre penalty on a botched punt attempt that allowed the Wildcats to essentially ice a 21-17 win over the Tigers. After the snap went over Colin Goodfellow‘s head, he was able to corral it and somehow get a punt off while being hit. The ensuing roughing the punter penalty gave Kentucky the chance to drain more clock, ultimately ruining any legitimate final attempt for a late Missouri score. The Tigers need two wins for bowl eligibility but their next contest is on the road at Tennessee.

12. Auburn (+1)

Auburn couldn’t manage to complete its comeback against Mississippi State, falling in overtime in Carnell “Cadillac” Williams‘ first game as interim coach. But the Tigers move up a spot in our SEC Power Rankings, having played their last several opponents tougher than expected. With three wins and the next two games against reeling Texas A&M and Western Kentucky, there’s a decent chance bowl eligibility could come down to the Iron Bowl.

13. Texas A&M (-1)

The Aggies have an elite back in Devon Achane… and it’s hard to say there’s much else working right now. Of course, having a good chunk of the team, including presumed starting quarterback Conner Weigman, out with the flu Saturday against Florida didn’t help. The Aggies lost 41-24 at home and have now lost five straight under coach Jimbo Fisher.

14. Vanderbilt

Can’t win many SEC games turning it over four times. The ‘Dores fumbled twice and both quarterbacks were picked off once in the loss to the Gamecocks. With Tennessee still on the schedule Vanderbilt’s bowl chances are probably toast at this point.

Want to see how this week’s power rankings compare to our previous edition? Check out the 2022 Week 9 SEC Power Rankings here!