SEC Power Rankings updated after Week 10 of college football
The latest SEC Power Rankings from On3 are in after Week 10 of the college football regular season.
The top teams are the same, at least when it comes to the top three. But after surprises and valiant efforts, there was movement within the middle on others surging back towards the top.
Let’s dive into the latest SEC Power Rankings courtesy of our panel of On3 experts.
1. Georgia (9-0)
The Bulldogs earned one of their biggest wins of the season by beating a near-top 10 Missouri team (if you look at the CFP). If that doesn’t prove Georgia is still at the top, we don’t know what does.
Georgia remained undefeated on the road to a three-peat in 2023. The 30-21 win over the Tigers was highlighted by another good game from Carson Beck: 254 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions.
2. Alabama (8-1)
Don’t forget about the talented Alabama squad! The Crimson Tide played a tight one with LSU as Jalen Milroe and Jayden Daniels put on a show. But it was ultimately the home team who pulled away.
Milroe threw for 219 yards and ran for 155 on the ground to go along with four rushing touchdowns. A fantastic performance and the Crimson Tide look like a playoff contender once again.
3. Ole Miss (8-1)
Ole Miss was getting a little juice this weekend with its recent run and LSU having a chance against Alabama. Well, the Tigers lost and Ole Miss just squeaked by Texas A&M.
Still, Lane Kiffin and company are 8-1 now and have an outside shot at the division, but Alabama would have to lose two SEC games. Looking at the schedule, that means Alabama has to lose to Kentucky and Auburn. Not sure about that.
4. Tennessee (7-2) (+2)
Now we get into the movement within the SEC outside of the top three teams in the conference. Tennessee got the win over UConn, Joe Milton was solid and Nico Iamaleava got into his third game of the season.
Not only that, the freshman quarterback threw his first career touchdown pass. The win, coupled with other teams losing, pushed the Volunteers back into the top four after the weekend.
5. LSU (6-3) (-1)
LSU doesn’t move down far this week after a loss to Alabama. It went back and forth and Jayden Daniels ended up getting hurt, so who knows how it would’ve been?
Unfortunately, LSU is out of the running of the SEC West for the second straight year. Three losses kind of stings after the expectations going into the fall. Still, Brian Kelly and crew can finish strong.
6. Missouri (7-2) (-1)
This was a close call for the Tigers, who lost 30-21 to Georgia. Now, Eli Drinkwitz and company won’t be heading to Atlanta for the conference title game.
It was close and Missouri even struck first with Brady Cook dealing. But, the Bulldogs were just too good at home this time around. But the On3 panel won’t punish Missouri too much, only dropping the Tigers down one spot.
7. Kentucky (6-3) (+2)
The Wildcats got off skid row with a win over Mississippi State and it was a pretty convincing one. Devin Leary had a solid performance with 156 yards and two touchdowns.
Now that Kentucky is bowl eligible, the team can breathe a little easier after the three-game losing streak. However, Alabama, South Carolina and Louisville is not the easiest slate to end for Mark Stoops and crew.
8. Texas A&M (5-4) (-1)
Boy this would’ve changed things in the power rankings, as well as a bunch of other rankings. But Texas A&M fell short 38-35 to Ole miss and fell one spot in this week’s power rankings.
Jimbo Fisher’s time could be short, but who knows with that type of buyout in his contract? This has been pretty much a middle of the pack type of team all season long.
9. Florida (5-4) (-1)
The Florida Gators had a, pretty much, inexcusable loss to Arkansas which is a mess unto itself. A shootout loss at home is not what you want to see from the Gators.
Billy Napier and company fell to 5-4 and it’s more of the same from Year 1. If the recruiting trail success pays off then this program can be very good. Until then, this was disappointing as the Gators dropped a spot in this week’s rankings.
10. Auburn (5-4)
Auburn got a win and is now one win from bowl eligibility in Year 1 under Hugh Freeze. That may seem like a far cry from what this program wants to be, but it’s an important first step.
It’s a win over Vanderbilt so it doesn’t push the Tigers up a spot this week. Spoiler alert, Vanderbilt is still at the bottom here. Payton Thorne wasn’t excellent, but threw two touchdowns. Jarquez Hunter had a great game, running 19 times for 183 yards and two touchdowns.
11. Mississippi State (4-5)
Speaking of the Bulldogs, as mentioned above, there was no offense against Kentucky. Three points won’t cut it in the SEC even if the defense is stellar.
Two Bulldogs’ quarterbacks, Mike Wright and Chris Parson, combined for 145 yards and an interception. Simply, it’s just not enough without Will Rogers. A shame since this team is two wins away from a bowl game.
12. Arkansas (3-6) (+1)
Arkansas does move up a spot here with a win over Florida. It doesn’t change the disappointment of the 2023 campaign under Sam Pittman, but the slim chances at a bowl game are still alive.
KJ Jefferson finished the game with 255 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and ran for 92 yards and another score. Raheim Sanders returned to the lineup as well and ran for 103 yards. Positives people!
13. South Carolina (3-6) (-1)
A win over Jacksonville State. Well, that’s pretty much all to say about this past weekend. It improved the Gamecocks record to 3-6 but what else is there to say?
It’s been a year of struggles for Shane Beamer and crew. South Carolina actually dropped a spot this week due to Arkansas’ win over Florida. Maybe there’s a miracle bowl berth in the cards.
14. Vanderbilt (2-8)
This is what it has come to every week for Vanderbilt. Another loss asking, what else can this program do to take a step forward?
Clark Lea got this team to five wins last year so there was hope the team could muster up the same amount, if not six wins, to get to a bowl game. For now, Vandy fans will have to wait until at least 2024.
Another weekend is in the books and there are just three regular season games left. How much more movement will we see the rest of the way? Tune in!