SEC Power Rankings: Week 3

DrewFranklinKSR

KSR’s SEC Power Rankings return this week with some drastic changes from a week ago. Those changes are in part because I took over the role as ranker for this one, but also because of some very notable wins (and losses) across the conference.

1. Alabama (3-0)

Beat Colorado State, 41-23; Previous Week: 1

Alabama is in the top spot in the power rankings for one more week before it drops a couple spots next week after a loss at Vanderbilt.

Kidding.

Kind of.

2. Mississippi State (3-0)

Beat LSU, 37-3; Previous Week: 6

Mississippi State jumped all the way up to No. 2 from No. 6 after blowing out LSU, last week’s No. 2, in Starkville.

Nick Fitzgerald is the real deal and will enter the Heisman race if he has another big game this weekend when the Bulldogs travel to Georgia.

3. Georgia (3-0)

Beat Samford, 42-14; Previous Week: 3

Georgia didn’t do much to improve its stock after beating an FCS team (and failing to cover), but 3-0 is 3-0 and that win at Notre Dame is still one of the SEC’s best out-of-conference performances this season.

4. Vanderbilt (3-0)

Beat Kansas State, 14-7; Previous Rank: 10

Vanderbilt? At fourth? Yep. The ‘Dores saw a huge jump in the rankings after upsetting No. 18 Kansas State for the program’s first win over a ranked non-SEC opponent in 71 years. Vandy is now 3-0 for the first time since 2011 with its sights set on Alabama.

Defensive lineman Nifae Lealao said, “Alabama, you’re next.”

#Vandy's Nifae Lealao: "We expected to get this. When you come to our house we show you how to play some SEC ball… Alabama, you're next." pic.twitter.com/koegcHRZnE

— Justin Beasley (@JBeasleyWSMV) September 17, 2017

Easy there, bud.

5. Kentucky (3-0)

Beat South Carolina, 23-13; Previous Rank: 12

Another team with a huge jump up the rankings is Kentucky following its win at South Carolina as a touchdown underdog. The Gamecocks crowd was at its best and Carolina’s captains wouldn’t shake hands before the game, but UK dominated from start to finish — if we consider the ‘start’ as being after the Cats allowed a TD on the first play of the game and then turned it over twice.

6. Florida (1-1)

Beat Tennessee, 26-20; Previous Rank: 8

Did you see that Hail Mary? Wow, what a finish.

7. Tennessee (2-1)

Lost to Florida, 20-26; Previous Rank: 7

Did you see that Hail Mary? Wow, how do you let the receiver get behind you? Idiots.

8. Auburn (2-1)

Beat Mercer, 24-10; Previous Rank: 4

Auburn’s only loss was at Clemson, so its resume still looks good; however, the product Auburn has put on the field for three straight weeks, has not.

9. LSU (2-1)

Lost to Mississippi State, 3-37; Previous Rank: 2

LSU’s loss to Mississippi State was its worst to an unranked opponent since 1943. Coach O is now on the hot seat, and that saddens me.

10. South Carolina (2-1)

Lost to Kentucky, 13-23; Previous Rank: 5

The Deebo Samuel injury is a tough one to swallow. You gotta feel for that guy and the team that will move on without its star player.

11. Arkansas (1-1)

No game; Previous Rank: 9

Arkansas had the week off, so it drops two spots for resting. Want to move up? Beat A&M in Jerry World this weekend.

12. Ole Miss (2-1)

Lost to California, 16-27; Previous Rank: 11

Note to all SEC schools: if you’re going to travel across the country to face a second tier Pac-12 team, don’t lose.

But if you do lose, at least look like you’re capable of playing competitive football.

13. Texas A&M (2-1)

Beat Louisiana-Lafayette, 45-21; Previous Rank: 14

Sure, Texas A&M beat Louisiana-Lafayette by 24; but did you know A&M trailed at the half? Throw in the Aggies’ Week 1 disaster and then a close one against Nicholls in Week 2, and it’s the beginning of the end for Kevin Sumlin. Might as well go ahead and fire him if you ask me.