SEC Football Power Rankings After Week 9
The SEC slate of games had blockbuster potential this week, but several teams underperformed. This weekend provided a couple of interesting matchups for next week. There are still only two undefeated teams in the SEC, Tennessee and Georgia. Let’s take a look at where they all fall in the power rankings for Week 9:
14.Vanderbilt (BYE)
Vanderbilt playing in week Zero gave them a second bye week during the season. They play South Carolina next week.
13. Auburn (Lost to Arkansas 41-27)
Auburn lost the “battle for the bottom” in the SEC West. The Tigers had previously won six straight against Arkansas, but that didn’t help Brian Harsin’s crew Saturday. Jordan-Hare Stadium emptied out early, when the game was ugly. Robby Ashford had 285 yards passing and a touchdown. Tank Bigsby struggled, gaining only 41 yards. Harsin’s seat has to be so hot now, that he will need asbestos pants going forward.
12. Texas A&M (Lost to #15 Ole Miss 31-28)
The Aggies went with Connor Wiegman and the freshman quarterback gave Jimbo Fisher all he had. Weigman threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns for the Aggies, but it wasn’t enough. A&M lost their fourth straight game and Jimbo’s seat is warm, despite the large buyout. Devon Achane led the team in rushing, with 138 yards on the ground. Moose Muhammad III led the Aggies in receiving with 112 yards on eight receptions and one touchdown.
11. Missouri (Won against South Carolina 23-10)
Missouri jumped out on South Carolina and never looked back. The Tigers went up 17-0 on touchdown runs from Brady Cook and Cody Schrader, as well as a Harrison Mevis field goal. The Tigers ran for 143 yards, led by Schrader’s 81 yards on the ground. Cook added 224 yards passing to his 53 yards rushing. Dominic Lovett had a big day receiving with 10 catches for 148 yards.
10. Arkansas (Won against Auburn 41-27)
The Razorbacks came into this game tied with Auburn and Texas A&M for last in the SEC West. They did not finish the day there. K.J. Jefferson ran for two touchdowns, while adding 234 yards and a passing touchdown for the Razorbacks. Raheim “Rocket” Sanders had a big day, adding 171 yards rushing for Arkansas. Matt Landers caught four passes for 115 yards.
9. Florida (Lost to #1 UGA 42-20)
Florida responded after getting punched in the mouth early, but didn’t have enough offensive firepower to match the Bulldogs. After falling behind 28-3, the Gators responded. Travis Etienne ran in a touchdown, which was followed by Amari Burney forcing two turnovers. Florida turned those turnovers into 10 points, but Georgia responded, scoring 14 unanswered to put the game away. Anthony Richardson had 271 yards passing and a touchdown. Travis Etienne had 53 yards rushing, in addition to his touchdown.
8. South Carolina (Lost to Missouri 23-10)
The Gamecocks ruined their two game winning streak, with a lackluster performance in Columbia, SC on Saturday. The Gamecocks spotted Missouri a 17-0 lead, before scoring on a Spencer Rattler touchdown run. South Carolina add a field goal, but the Tigers added two field goals for the final margin. Rattler only had 171 yards passing and an interception. MarShawn Lloyd added 30 yards rushing to an ineffective offense.
7. Kentucky (Lost to #3 Tennessee 44-6)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis and the rest of the Wildcats looked ill-prepared to face the #3 Tennessee Volunteers. The lone bright spot was a first quarter touchdown from Chris Rodriguez Jr., which was immediately dimmed by more kicking game mistakes. Kentucky’s defense had no answer for Jaylin Hyatt, who torched the Wildcats’ secondary twice for wide open touchdowns. Will Levis was very ineffective, with just 98 yards and three interceptions. Rodriguez had 64 yards to go with his touchdown.
6. Mississippi State (BYE)
The Bulldogs enjoyed a bye week, with Auburn up next.
5. Ole Miss (Won against Texas A&M 31-28)
Quinshon Judkins gave Ole Miss a present Saturday, even though it was HIS birthday. Judkins rushed for 205 yards and a touchdown, which turned out to be the game winner. The tailback went over 1,000 yards to 1,036 yards, which is an Ole Miss freshman record. Jaxson Dart didn’t have gaudy numbers passing, but his three touchdown passes came at key moments for the Rebels.
4. LSU (BYE)
Brian Kelly likely used the week to prepare for the Crimson Tide next week, with the SEC West likely at stake.
3. Alabama (BYE)
The Crimson Tide were off this week. I imagine Nick Saban didn’t spend much time licking his wounds, following his first loss this season. The Tide will prepare for a game against LSU, which may be the de facto SEC West title game.
1B. Tennessee (Won against #19 Kentucky 44-6)
Tennessee looked dominant again, with the championship hype now ramping up to late 1990’s levels. The Volunteers looked dominant on offense, with Hendon Hooker and Jaylin Hyatt showing off again against the Wildcats. Hooker had 245 yards passing and three touchdowns, two of which were caught by Hyatt. Hooker also added a rushing touchdown to further boost his Heisman chances. Jabari Small led the Vols in rushing with 78 yards.
1A. UGA (Won against Florida 42-20)
Georgia played a good game against a good opponent, jumping out early on the Gators. Florida made a strong push in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs had too many answers. Brock Bowers had a circus catch for a 73 yard touchdown, which was one of two Stetson Bennett threw on the day. Daijun Edwards had 106 yards and two touchdowns against the Gators. The Bulldogs can not enjoy this win long, with a game against Tennessee for first place in the SEC East looming.