SEC Power Rankings updated after Week 9 of college football
The latest SEC Power Rankings were updated after Week 9 of the college football regular season and the On3 panel didn’t change much this week.
But now we’re in the final stretch of the season so we’ll see if these rankings hold or vastly change over the course of November. This is the true chaos time of college football.
Let’s dive into the latest SEC Power Rankings courtesy of our panel of On3 experts.
1. Georgia (8-0)
The Bulldogs are No. 1 once again, so basically nothing changes going into the final four weeks. Carson Beck led the way in the latest victory over Florida.
We’re still set up for a Georgia-Alabama matchup in the SEC Championship Game. However, three ranked opponents are left for the Bulldogs: Missouri, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
2. Alabama (7-1)
Alabama had the week off so it didn’t move in On3’s power rankings going into Week 10. The Crimson Tide are undefeated in SEC play and now get LSU. A win here punches all but locks up the SEC West division title and a trip to Atlanta.
Nick Saban and company are exactly where they want to be, given the circumstances. Are we starting to see Alabama peak at the right time?
3. Ole Miss (7-1)
Ole Miss is quietly one of the better teams in the country, but is shoved down most rankings overall due to the loss to Alabama. That’s the unfortunate part.
The good news is, Ole Miss could hypothetically finish 11-1 and have an outside shot at the College Football Playoff. How does that happen? Remains to be seen.
4. LSU (6-2)
LSU was also on a bye week, but the Tigers stayed right at No. 4. This team has an outside shot at the SEC West title once again.
It all starts with a big one against Alabama Saturday. The talent is there, particularly on the offensive side of the ball led by Jayden Daniels.
5. Missouri (7-1)
Who would’ve thought huh? Eli Drinkwitz and the Missouri Tigers are 7-1 and have a chance to stun the college football world this weekend.
Up next is Georgia and a win here not only puts the Tigers in the driver’s seat for the SEC East, it might be time to start talking College Football Playoffs. What a fall for this squad.
6. Tennessee (6-2)
The Volunteers are an interesting squad. This team is 6-2 and still has Georgia on the docket, so there’s still room for chaos in the SEC East.
Joe Milton can be great or below average. It’s the Jekyll and Hyde effect with him under center. For now, it’s a top half team in the conference after a win over Kentucky.
7. Texas A&M (5-3) (+1)
The Aggies were one of two teams this week to actually shift positioning in the rankings. This comes after a 30-17 win over South Carolina, which continues to struggle.
Unfortunately, being 5-3 is a far cry from where Jimbo Fisher and company wanted to be at this point. The CFP and SEC title are simply out of reach in 2023.
8. Florida (5-3) (-1)
Florida dropped a spot following its blowout loss to Georgia. It was really the only reason why the team dropped a spot. It’s not going to go far, but it had to be done.
The Gators are now 5-3 so the CFP and SEC title hopes are gone, just like Texas A&M. Not that people pegged those expectations on the people in Gainesville. But there are still growing pains for Billy Napier and company.
9. Kentucky (5-3)
Nowhere to go for Kentucky this week, despite the loss to Tennessee. It was a close loss, so there are positives.
But on the flip side, it was a winnable game for the Wildcats. That’s now three straight losses for Mark Stoops and crew after a 5-0 start.
10. Auburn (4-4)
Auburn got the win over Mississippi State, 27-13, to improve to 4-4. At this point, the Tigers just need two more wins to be bowl eligible.
That shouldn’t be the end goal for Auburn, but it’s a nice first step for Hugh Freeze in his tenure. This was a big rebuilding job when he came in.
11. Mississippi State (4-4)
Speaking of Mississippi State, the Bulldogs fell to 4-4 with that loss to the Tigers, so that hurts the postseason chances. It’s been a tough hill to climb in the SEC West for Zach Arnett and crew.
The Bulldogs struggled at quarterback again with Mike Wright going 16-of-32 passing for 161 yards, one touchdown and one interception. But, there could be two wins on the remaining schedule.
12. South Carolina (2-6)
Boy it’s been tough sledding for the Gamecocks this year. Going into 2023, there were expectations to take the next step, or at least stay level headed after last year’s success.
Unfortunately, South Carolina fell to 2-6 after a loss to Texas A&M. Shane Beamer will have to go back to the recruiting trail and drawing board ahead of 2024.
13. Arkansas (2-6)
It was a much needed bye week for Arkansas in Week 9. After the Dan Enos firing, the Razorbacks had to go back to the drawing board.
It seems unlikely this team will get four straight wins and get to the postseason. Sam Pittman could be feeling the heat by the time this season is over.
14. Vanderbilt (2-7)
Same old story with Vanderbilt, which fell to 2-7 on the year and Clark Lea’s rebuilding job continues. Not to mention, the stadium rebuilding as well.
Really no signs of this team getting out of the SEC basement this season. Stinks since it seemed the program made a few strides in 2022.
So with just four weeks remaining, the SEC seems to have taken shape, at least mostly. There are a few games with the top dogs that could determine the order of these rankings, and of course, the standings overall.