SEC Power Rankings updated after Week 8 of college football

The latest SEC Power Rankings were updated from a panel of On3 experts as Week 8 of college football came to a close.

There were no surprises at the top of the conference, of course. But the middle started to shift once again as the contenders for the conference crown were revealed.

Let’s dive into the latest SEC Power Rankings, courtesy of our panel of On3 experts.

1. Georgia (7-0)

Guess what? Georgia is still No. 1 in the SEC and oh yeah, the Bulldogs are still the top team in the country across all of the polls. Same old story.

The Bulldogs will play Florida this weekend and are going to be the favorite. Florida upset Tennessee earlier this year, so can the Gators pull this one off? Or will it be a cakewalk for Georgia?

2. Alabama (7-1)

Alabama got by Tennessee to essentially keep pace with Georgia. Of course, the teams are in opposite divisions, but that’s the expected conference title matchup as of now.

It seems like things are clicking for the Crimson Tide as of late. Will it be sustained? If anyone can do it, it’s Nick Saban pulling off one of the best coaching jobs of his career.

3. Ole Miss (6-1)

It wasn’t pretty, but Ole Miss went on the road against a division foe and took down Auburn 28-21.Lane Kiffin and company improved to 6-1 on the season.

Boy, if only the Rebels managed to get Alabama while the team was down. This would be a totally different conversation. But they’re sure to keep their New Year’s Six hopes alive.

4. LSU (6-2) (+1)

LSU moved up by virtue of a dominant win and others falling a little. The Tigers shutout Army 62-0 to take of business and improved to 6-2.

This team can still win the SEC West for the second straight year. Don’t rule it out. The game against Alabama to kick off November is going to be one for the books.

5. Missouri (7-1) (+1)

They just keep winning don’t they? Eli Drinkwitz and company are now 7-1 on the season. What can’t this team do?

If the Tigers knock off Georgia in two weeks, this season will officially be turned on its head. Missouri gets two weeks to prepare for the champs. Use them wisely.

6. Tennessee (5-2) (-2)

Tough one there for the Volunteers on the road in Tuscaloosa. The Third Saturday in October was not too kind to Tennessee.

Joe Milton played better: 271 yards and two touchdowns. But the run game was basically non-existent, turning Tennessee into a one-dimensional offense.

7. Florida (5-2)

Florida had the week off and officially had two weeks to prepare for rival Georgia. Get that cocktail party ready because it could be a good one.

Yes, Georgia is the favorite, but Billy Napier pushed some good buttons so far this year. It’s just a matter of if he can get the signature win of his tenure Saturday.

8. Texas A&M (4-3)

The Aggies also had the week off so no movement for Jimbo Fisher and his team in this set of rankings. Last time we saw them, they lost to Tennessee, who just came up short against Alabama.

It’s basically been a rollercoaster ride for Texas A&M, and not a fun one. All of the questions are about Fisher and his future at this point.

9. Kentucky (5-2)

This is the third straight school that had a bye week over the last seven days. And what a coincidence, the Wildcats didn’t move in the rankings either.

Kentucky plays host to Tennessee for a chance to perhaps get back into the top 25. It’s been quite a turn since the undefeated start. The Wildcats were everyone’s darling, until they weren’t.

10. Auburn (3-4)

Auburn just let this one get away. The Tigers dropped a home game to Ole Miss 28-21, one that was in reach.

Payton Thorne threw just 100 yards, a touchdown and one interception. Jarquez Hunter ran for 91 yards and two scores, but Hugh Freeze and crew need more.

11. Mississippi State (4-3) (+2)

There you go, the Bulldogs made a bit of a climb after the weekend. Mississippi State improved to 4-3 on the season in a sloppy game.

It turns out, seven points was enough to beat Arkansas Saturday. Mike Wright went eight-of-12 passing for 85 yards, one touchdown and one interception. It wasn’t the prettiest game, but give credit to the Bulldogs’ defense.

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

South Carolina lost that aforementioned game to Missouri, which got the Tigers to 7-1. Meanwhile, it dropped the Gamecocks to 2-5 and the season looks bleak.

Spencer Rattler threw for 217 yards and an interception while not getting much assistance from his running game. Plus, South Carolina trailed 24-3 at halftime. Not good.

13. Arkansas (2-6) (-1)

The headline from this weekend was the firing of Dan Enos as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator. That just goes to show where this team is right now.

Sam Pittman and the Razorbacks will have to win four in a row in order to make the postseason. That doesn’t seem likely and now even Pittman’s future could be in question.

14. Vanderbilt (2-6)

Vanderbilt also had the week off so the Commodores did not get a chance to move up. Well, they can’t move down either.

The last time out? Vanderbilt lost to Georgia, no biggie. Next up? The team heads to play Ole Miss, another challenge. Good luck.

So with another week in the books, we saw some movement in the SEC. Week 9 should cause more shakeups as we hit the final stretch of the season.