SEC Power Rankings: Texas takes the top spot ahead of week four

As the Texas Longhorns ascend to the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25, they also take the top spot in Inside Texas’ weekly SEC power rankings. Who else made moves in IT’s ranking of the top 10 teams in the SEC?

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1 Texas (+1)

The AP has it right. So far, the Longhorns have looked like the most complete team in the nation. They’ve dominated lesser Group of Five teams like Colorado State and UTSA and handled a flawed yet still quality Michigan team in the Big House. This week’s opponent in Louisiana-Monroe does not pose much of a threat, but the times where Texas has faltered this year can be counted on one hand.

Oh yeah, that Arch Manning guy is pretty darn good, too.

2 Georgia (-1)

A win is a win is a win but scoring 13 points at Kentucky is a little bit alarming for a team that managed to put 34 on Clemson and 48 on Tennessee Tech before calling off the Dawgs. Carson Beck was 15-for-24 for an average 6.67 yards per attempt . The Wildcats also stymied the Georgia run game for the most part as Trevor Etienne‘s longest run was 17 yards on a day where he gained 79. The Bulldog defense is as stout as they come but some offensive shortcomings in talent and coaching (Hello, Mike Bobo!) gives IT enough reason to make the Bulldogs No. 2 like the AP voters did.

Georgia has a bye this week before they head to…

3 Alabama (-)

If there was any doubt Kalen DeBoer would understand how to utilize Jalen Milroe, it was misguided. Milroe leaves Wisconsin as one of several Heisman contenders after a five-touchdown day that saw DeBoer put the ball in his quarterback’s hands as the playmaker 31 times. Going to Madison and silencing what was an amped up Badger crowd by beating up an average Badger team is a nice achievement. Alabama is also off ahead of their matchup with Georgia.

4 Ole Miss (-)

Ole Miss finally played a Power Conference opponent and the result was largely the same as when the Rebels played two cupcakes. Ole Miss has outscored its opponents 168-9 this year. They get Georgia Southern at home this week before conference play begins for Lane Kiffin‘s crew against Kentucky on September 28.

5 Missouri (-)

Missouri faced its first real test in a ranked Boston College team and emerged victorious. A nice win for the Tigers after two shutout wins over mediocre squads. Missouri can move the ball on offense and the Mizzou defense made BC’s Thomas Castellanos throw two interceptions. Brady Cook, pretty good. Luther Burden, REALLY good.

6 Tennessee (-)

Think Ole Miss has a lopsided scoring margin? Tennessee’s is 221-13. The Vols were up 65-0 at half against Kent State and offered to shorten the game via running clock. The Golden Flashes refused. Tennessee managed just six second half points. Nico Iamaleava, still good. The Vols will finally be tested when they head to…

7 Oklahoma (-)

Still so much to be desired from the Sooner offense but the defense continues to be a strength for the Sooners. Jackson Arnold willed the Sooners to a win with a passing touchdown and two rushing touchdowns. Oklahoma saw its offensive line improve some, but the Tennessee D-line may pause progress. The Sooners need to get healthy and fast at wide receiver, too. Deion Burks can do a lot of things, but he can’t do everything.

Lots of emotion tied to the upcoming game, too, with Josh Heupel returning home after he was somewhat unceremoniously kicked out of the house by Bob Stoops in the early stages of his coaching career.

8 LSU (-)

The Tiger defense leaves so much to be desired still, but a win on the road in the SEC at a raucous Williams-Bryce Stadium is nothing to scoff at. Garrett Nussmeier is the real deal in that offense. The Tigers need to figure out defense and fast. Playing UCLA at home should make that easy.

9 Texas A&M (New)

Things are terrible for Billy Napier and Florida. Mike Elko and crew made it worse. Starting backup quarterback Marcel Reed, A&M went to the Swamp and played the game the Aggies needed him to play. He was efficient through the air, factored into the ground game, and made the margin one neither Graham Mertz nor DJ Lagway could overcome. Florida rushed for 52 yards on 25 rushes. Yeesh. Gather the funds.

10 South Carolina (-1)

While South Carolina fell, they still acquitted themselves well against a top-25 team at home and showed signs that this season might not be one that accelerates Shane Beamer‘s exit from Columbia. They need to get LaNorris Sellers back and healthy because Robby Ashford is an obstacle to offense. Rocket Sanders returning to form was nice. If one iffy flag isn’t thrown, this week may look different.

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Dropped out

• Vanderbilt, previously No. 10

The Vanderbilt we all know and love returned on Saturday by giving up 426 total yards and 36 points to Georgia State, a team picked to finish last in the Sun Belt East preseason poll.

Vandy’s next five games are at Missouri, Alabama, at Kentucky, Ball State, Texas.