SEC Football: Week 5 Power Rankings
Another crazy week has come and gone in the SEC. Here is where the teams sit in our week 5 Power Rankings.
While most SEC teams were busy playing non-conference teams, or matchups such as Florida-Vanderbilt, the college football world was treated to the greatness that was the end of the Tennessee-Georgia game, which had everything a college football fan could want (or not want) within the last minute of the game. While this past week of games might have been underwhelming, the upcoming slate of games should make up for it.
With the half-way point of the season upon us, the SEC rankings are beginning to solidify, here are the Week 5 rankings:
Vanderbilt Commodores
2-3
Last week: L 13-6 FloridaLast rank: 14
Vanderbilt, you were so close, if only you could produce an offense against top teams.
The Commodores followed up their road win at Western Kentucky by falling flat offensively against the Gators. Credit to the Commodore defense, they did a heck of a job in keeping the Gators limited on offense and limited on the scoreboard, the offense just could not do enough to compliment the defense. In one of the only conference matchups of the day, this game was close and overall was a good game, but lacked any offensive firepower by either team.
Vanderbilt has to get something going on offense in order to be successful for any game for the rest of the season. For the Commodores, their chances at bowl eligibility, seem to be slipping away.
Next Game: October 8, at Kentucky, 4pm ET SEC Network
Oct 1, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Perry Orth (10) calls the play against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
South Carolina Gamecocks
2-3
Last week: L 24-13 Texas A&MLast rank: 13
While the Gamecocks did face a stern test, in the form of the Texas A&M Aggies, South Carolina stood tall and kept the game close until the end.
South Carolina has improved this season, their offense has been sporadic which has led to most of their problems but for their defense to hold A&M to only 24 points should be seen as an accomplishment and proof that this program is rebounding fast. Will Muschamp has South Carolina headed in the right direction. South Carolina certainly still has a shot to get to six wins this year and get to a bowl, but it will not be easy.
The Gamecocks have a shot at en upset this weekend, when they take on a Georgia Bulldog squad that is coming off a heartbreaking loss to Tennessee.
Next game: October 8, vs Georgia, 7:30pm ET SEC Network
Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops reacts to his teams play during the game against Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated Kentucky 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Kentucky Wildcats
2-3
Last week: L 34-6 AlabamaLast rank: 12
Well, at least the Wildcats made it interesting in the first quarter.
That is, until Alabama woke up and decided to hammer Kentucky and blow them out of Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Wildcats offense was not up to the task of having to move the ball on the Alabama defense. And who could blame them? The only team that has had success scoring on Alabama was Ole Miss and they still lost. For Kentucky, the loss just adds fuel to the fire that is the hot seat for Mark Stoops. If Kentucky is going to improve this season then they have to get their offense to be more consistent and a more aggressive defense.
Not only is the hot seat getting hotter for Stoops, but Kentucky is well on their way to staying home again come bowl season.
Next game: October 8, vs Vanderbilt, 4:00pm ET SEC Network
Sep 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) and line backer DeAndre Ward (28) celebrate after defeating the Massachusetts Minutemen 47-35 at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Mississippi State Bulldogs
2-2
Last week: Bye WeekLast rank: 11
Mississippi State had a bye week this past weekend.
The Bulldogs most likely spent the off week getting better on offense and getting injured players healed.
Next game: October 8, vs Auburn, 12:00pm ET SEC Network
Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) throws against the LSU Tigers during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Missouri 42-7. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Missouri Tigers
2-3
Last week: L 42-7 LSULast rank: 7
Missouri had finally had some good offensive outings and then ran into the unknown buzzsaw that was the LSU defense.
Drew Lock was all but contained and the Missouri offense just never got anything going to be able to compete with LSU. Missouri’s normally stout defense was gashed by an LSU team that before this game had no semblance of any type of explosive offense, or even offense that could score more than 20 points. Essentially, this was a throw away game for Missouri, throw it in the trash and come back next week and be better.
Missouri has improved far better than anyone expected, but after the LSU game, its clear that they still have work to do.
Next game: October 15, at Florida, 4:00pm ET SEC Network
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Maurice Smith (2) reacts in front of celebrating Tennessee Volunteers players after a game winning touchdown pass on the last play on the game during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia Bulldogs
3-2
Last week: L 34-31 TennesseeLast rank: 8
I’ll be honest, I had expected to have Georgia further up this list. Tennessee had other plans than allowing Georgia to move up the power rankings, and win their game I guess.
Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason grew up before our eyes and seemingly had won the game with his touchdown pass with less than a minute left in the game. Then Tennessee quarterback, Josh Dobbs launched a hail mary that was caught by Jajuan Jennings and the Volunteers won. If only Georgia’s secondary knew to bat the ball down. Despite the loss, Bulldog fans should feel good about their team as they made a massive turnaround from their performance against Ole Miss. Georgia is still a good team and will continue to get better.
Next game: October 8, at South Carolina, 7:30pm ET SEC Network
Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers interim head coach Ed Orgeron celebrates after a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the fourth quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
LSU Tigers
3-2
Last week: W 42-7 MissouriLast rank: 10
A team that was seemingly dead in the water responded to interim head coach Ed Orgeron and delivered a convincing win over the Missouri Tigers.
Even without Leonard Fournette, the LSU Tigers that we saw this past Saturday, looked more like the team that we all thought they would be at the beginning of the season. LSU finally produced on offense, as both the running game and the passing game were working and were effective. Orgeron seems to have a knack for getting teams to buy into what he’s selling and deliver, remember he did lead USC to a 6-2 record after he took over in 2013. If LSU continues to play like they did on Saturday, it would be hard for LSU not to offer the job to Orgeron.
The next test for LSU comes this weekend when they travel to face the Florida Gators.
Next game: October 8, at Florida, 12:00pm ET SEC Network
Oct 1, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Sean White (13) throws a pass against the UL-Monroe Warhawks during the first quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Warhawks 58-7. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Auburn Tigers
3-2
Last week: W 58-7 Lousiana-MonroeLast rank: 9
After a wild win over the LSU Tigers, Auburn utterly destroyed Louisiana-Monroe.
I’m not sure there was a more complete win in the SEC this past weekend, than the kind of domination that Auburn showed against the Warhawks. Auburn’s offense has looked good against lesser competition, but this type of outing is nothing but a confidence booster for a young offense. The Tiger defense continued to be stellar, holding ULM to only 7 points. Auburn’s defense has been known, now it is up to the offense to continue to do well when the competition level increases.
Next game: October 8, at Mississippi State, 12:00pm ET SEC Network
Oct 1, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) runs for a short gain during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Florida won 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Florida Gators
4-1
Last week: W 13-6 VanderbiltLast rank: 6
After a disappointing loss to Tennessee, Florida took on Vanderbilt in a defensive slugfest that went the way of the Gators.
Florida was limited to just 13 points by a tough Vanderbilt defense, but the Gators own stout defense was better and kept Vanderbilt to just 6 points. While Florida’s offense has seemingly fallen off, due to the injury to Luke Del Rio, the Gators have also played two very good defensive teams. With their defensive playing the way they did against the Commodores, then Gators do not even need to score much, anyway.
With that said, if Florida is going to beat LSU on Saturday, then they will need for their defensive to keep it up and for the offense to improve under Appleby if Del Rio doesn’t come back yet.
Next game: October 8, vs LSU, 12:00pm ET SEC Network
Oct 1, 2016; Little Rock, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Jared Cornelius (1) on a kick return in the first quarter against the Alcorn State Braves at War Memorial Stadium. The kick return was called back due to a penalty on the return team. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Arkansas Razorbacks
4-1
Last week: W 52-10 Alcorn StateLast rank: 5
Well, not much to see here, Arkansas got back to winning by demolishing Alcorn State.
Arkansas responded from their loss to Texas A&M by thumping Alcorn State in Little Rock. The Razorbacks looked sharp on offense and defense, as they should have. This game was never competitive, Arkansas was just a much better and more talented team than the Braves. The true test for the Arkansas Razorbacks will come this Saturday when they take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Razorbacks certainly have a shot to defeat the Tide. Quarterback, Austin Allen will have to be near perfect if the Razorbacks are to have a chance at winning at home.
Next game: October 8, vs Alabama, 7:00pm ET ESPN
Oct 1, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) reacts after a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Memphis Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 48-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Ole Miss Rebels
3-2
Last week: W 48-28 MemphisLast rank: 4
The Ole Miss Rebels put away their demons and got revenge on the Memphis Tigers, after the Rebels lost to them in 2015.
The Rebels were somewhat slow throughout the game and the defense still shows signs of youth against a team with a potent passing game, but overall, Ole Miss still looks like a top team and did away with one of the three teams that defeated them last season. While Memphis did make the game interesting at teams with some downfield throws, scores and a really nice fake punt, the Rebels never seemed to be too worried and did not collapse as they did last year against Memphis. The defense, while young, is finding a way to get turnovers. Ole Miss just has to get to the quarterback more often with that dominant defensive line.
Ole Miss has a bye week this week and then takes on Arkansas.
Next game: October 15, at Arkansas, 7:00pm ET ESPN
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) catches a game winning touchdown pass in front of Georgia Bulldogs safety Dominick Sanders (24) on the last play on the game during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Volunteers
5-0
Last week: W 34-31 GeorgiaLast rank: 3
In the words of Les Miles, “Wow…What a game!!!” Indeed it was quite a game to which we were treated by Tennessee and Georgia.
I cannot even begin to imagine the emotions that went through all Volunteer fans after seeing Jacob Eason through a touchdown pass to give Georgia the lead and then see Josh Dobbs throw a hail mary pass that was caught and Tennessee won. Not only can I not imagine that, i’m not sure i would have wanted to. Tennessee continues to be the luckiest team ever, other than the 2013 Auburn Tigers, although Tennessee is making a strong bid to become the luckiest team of all team. Horrible first halves by Tennessee has continued to mean nothing or not matter as the Volunteers continue to find ways to win.
Tennessee will need its good luck to continue as they face Texas A&M.
Next game: October 8, at Texas A&M 3:30pm ET CBS
Oct 1, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; Texas A&M Aggies players celebrate following their win over the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Texas A&M Aggies
5-0
Last week: W 24-13 South CarolinaLast rank: 2
The Aggies went on the road and took care of business against the Gamecocks. Texas A&M now returns home to take on the Tennessee Volunteers.
The Aggies continue to look incredible on defense. While A&M has been surprising as a team this season, their defense has been even more surprising and very impressive. Lack of an acceptable defense was about to have Kevin Sumlin out the door and now A&M will probably be giving him a new contract at the end of the season. Not too many people would have seen Trevor Knight having such a positive effect on the offense, but he has and it has helped lead A&M to an 5-0 record to begin the season.
Texas A&M faces its toughest test of the season, so far, next week in College Station.
Next game: October 8, vs Tennessee 3:30pm ET CBS
Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) gets out of reach of the Kentucky Wildcats defender at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated Kentucky 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama Crimson TIde
5-0
Last week: W 34-6 KentuckyLast rank: 1
Did you expect to see a different team up here?
Alabama remains the top overall team in the SEC Power Rankings after a dominating win over the Kentucky Wildcats. Alabama started the game slow, but eventually got it going and never looked back, much to the dismay of the Wildcats. With the Crimson Tide defense flying and the offense being able to turn it on and score when needed to, Alabama is heading into the stretch run of the season with the best team in the conference. While the Crimson Tide have already gotten past Ole Miss, they still face matchups with Arkansas, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Auburn.
The Crimson Tide will have to be at the top of their game when they travel to face off against the Razorbacks.
Next game: October 8, at Arkansas 7:00pm ET ESPN
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