SEC Power Rankings updated after Week 8 of college football

The latest SEC Power Rankings from On3, utilizing the On3 Massey Ratings, are in after Week 8 of the college football regular season.

The On3 Massey Ratings – which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated high school sports team rankings since 1995 – rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

There was a good deal of movement — including a new No. 1 — after some big-time games in the SEC. So without further ado, let’s examine this week’s edition.

1. Georgia Bulldogs (+1)

Georgia re-established itself as a leading College Football Playoff contender with a thrilling road victory against Texas. The start was almost perfect, with the Bulldogs racing out to a 23-0 lead.

And even though Texas mounted a valiant comeback bid in the third quarter, Georgia picked it up defensively and then drove the nail in the coffin with an 11-play, 89-yard touchdown drive. Now Georgia gets a bye week before the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party against Florida.

2. Texas Longhorns (-1)

Texas falls out of the top spot with the loss, and there are some significant question marks that emerged from the loss. Not the least of which is what the Longhorns plan to do at quarterback after shuffling them on Saturday night.

The good news for the Longhorns is the schedule looks pretty manageable the rest of the way. There are only two currently ranked opponents: No. 25 Vanderbilt and No. 14 Texas A&M at year’s end.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama had its chances in a loss to Tennessee, but an inability to capitalize on early Volunteers mistakes and turnovers doomed the Crimson Tide. Still, they retain their spot in this week’s SEC Power Rankings, holding one spot above Tennessee in the Massey Ratings.

The problem for Alabama is that its playoff chances are hanging on life support and there are some tough games coming up. First a home date with No. 21 Missouri, then a bye week followed by a trip to No. 8 LSU. Survive those and there may still be a shot to finish in the top 12.

4. Tennessee Volunteers

The Volunteers didn’t move in this week’s edition of the SEC Power Rankings, but they certainly firmed up their spot in the top quarter of the league. In a close game, it was Tennessee that made the plays when it counted to secure a major top-10 win.

The schedule now sets up for Tennessee to make a real run. After a bye week, the team gets Kentucky and Mississippi State at home before heading on the road to Georgia. That one will determine just how dangerous the Volunteers really are.

5. LSU Tigers

LSU ripped off a sixth consecutive win in impressive fashion, dusting Arkansas comfortably on the road. The game was never really in doubt. And the Tigers are getting hot at the right time.

Coming up next is a tough road trip to Texas A&M, the only other unbeaten team in the SEC standings. A win would put LSU on track to reach the SEC Championship Game. There’s another tough one after that, with No. 15 Alabama on the other side of a bye. Those two games will make or break LSU’s season.

6. Texas A&M Aggies

Like LSU, Texas A&M remains unbeaten in SEC play, though unlike the Tigers the Aggies are already halfway through conference action. This week’s contest against LSU will have a big impact on the SEC Power Rankings and potentially the playoff picture.

Texas A&M has gotten a bit healthier, with quarterback Conner Weigman getting back into a rhythm. He’s still not quite there, throwing two interceptions this weekend, but the Aggies have found ways to win anyway.

7. Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss is in a tough spot because it has already lost two conference games, but the rest of the road is pretty light. Outside of a game against Georgia (at home) there isn’t a ranked opponent on the schedule.

The real question is whether the Rebels can get their offense going a bit better after hitting a lull midseason. The pieces are certainly there, Ole Miss simply needs to execute better on key downs and in the red zone.

8. Missouri Tigers (+1)

Missouri returned to action in SEC play after a brief reprieve facing UMass. On Saturday it was a home date with Auburn, and Missouri came away throwing the punches late to secure a come-from-behind victory.

Quarterback Brady Cook was hurt in the game but returned in the second half to overturn a 14-point deficit. It kept Missouri with just one loss ahead of a meeting with No. 15 Alabama on the road.

9. South Carolina Gamecocks (+2)

After a humbling loss against Ole Miss and a much closer nail-biter against Alabama, South Carolina got back on the right side of the win column against Oklahoma. It was domination from start to finish, and the Gamecocks go up two spots in this week’s SEC Power Rankings as a result.

The defensive line continues to carry the team, capable of wrecking teams up front offensively. Now comes a tricky closing stretch; four of the final five opponents on the schedule are ranked. But first up: a bye week.

10. Oklahoma Sooners (-2)

The victim of South Carolina’s rise, Oklahoma was clubbed in a 35-9 defeat. Worse, the team changed quarterbacks and didn’t come away with any clear answers, so there may be some division going forward.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables has already made some offensive staff changes following the loss. Perhaps that can spark Oklahoma in the second half of the season. But the road is tough, with four of the final five opponents currently ranked and three of those games happening away from home.

SEC Power Rankings: 11-16

11. Florida Gators (+2)
12. Arkansas Razorbacks (-2)
13. Kentucky Wildcats (-1)
14. Vanderbilt Commodores
15. Auburn Tigers
16. Mississippi State Bulldogs

The biggest movement in the bottom half of the SEC Power Rankings is Florida jumping two spots after a thoroughly convincing win over Kentucky. The Gators leap the Wildcats and the Razorbacks, who lost a blowout game against the LSU Tigers. The bottom three in this week’s power rankings remain the same: Vanderbilt, Auburn and Mississippi State.