We saw UGA push itself to the top of the SEC, Ole Miss Fall to reality, and a host of other results. Let’s dive into some SEC power rankings

1. Alabama

Last Week: 25-0 Win over Ole Miss

This week: 10/5 vs. Georgia State

Alabama rolled to more than 400 yards against the Rebel Black Bears and also put on a defensive clinic holding Hugh Freeze’s team to a mere 205 yards of offense. T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake proved to be a potent rushing duo. Next up the Tide take on a Georgia State team that might actually be the worst team in FBS football. That 58 point line is set just right for this matchup.

2. Georgia

Last Week: Won 44-41 over LSU

This Week: 10/5 at Tennessee

The Bulldogs came out on top in a wild shootout that featured more than 900 yards of offense. Aaron Murray rose to the occasion for a second time this season and the Dawgs defense finally made a couple of plays in stopping Zach Mettenberger and the Bayou Bengals. With that, UGA now has a favorable road to the SEC championship game. The win may have come at the cost of Todd Gurley for a couple of weeks after spraining his ankle during the first half. Next up the Dawgs take their plethora of offensive playmakers to Knoxville for a border battle with a rebuilding Tennessee team. In past years, this would be a game that the Dawgs slip up in, but methinks this team is more mature than Mark Richt’s previous UGA teams and avoid the type of letdowns that have cost the Bulldogs opportunities at national titles in the past.

3. LSU

Last Week: Lost 44-41 to UGA

This Week: 10/5 at Miss St.

The Bayou Bengals simply had no answers for Georgia’s offense and have major work to do on defense. On the plus side, Zach Mettenberger and the rest of the passing attack looks elite. LSU still controls its’ own destiny in the SEC title race and will be a tough out for Alabama. LSU-A&M could be an extremely fun game to watch as well. The key will be if LSU can resolve the communication issues that plagued their secondary Saturday. They get to take a trip to Starkville this week to face the other Bulldogs in what should be a pretty easy win over Dan Mullen and Co.

4. Texas A&M

Last Week: Won 45-33 over Arkansas

This Week: BYE

UPDATE: Johnny Football and the Aggie offense are still really good at putting up points. In other news, A&M’s defense is still suspect. Good News: Because the Aggie defense is so bad get ready to see Manziel surpass last season’s mind-boggling numbers.

5. South Carolina

Last Week: Won 28-25 over UCF

This Week: 10/5 vs. Kentucky

South Carolina had its hands full with a pesky UCF team on Saturday, but the Gamecocks found a way to pull it out behind Mike Davis’ 167 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. On the downside, they lost starting quarterback Connor Shaw for 2-3 weeks with a shoulder sprain. USCe welcomes Mark Stoops’ ‘Cats into town in what should be an easier win for Steve Spurrier and his staff than the UCF game.

6. Florida

Last Week: Won 24-7 over Kentucky

This week: 10/5 vs. Arkansas

The Gators cruised to victory over the Wildcats with their suffocating defense. Next up is an Arkansas team with a potent rushing attack, but the Gators should be able to corral the ‘Hogs enough to win this game in front of the home crowd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

7. Ole Miss

Last Week: Lost 25-0 to the Tide

This Week: 10/5 at Auburn

The Rebel Black Bears ran their mouths before and Bama did what Bama does under Nick Saban. They shut down the Ole Miss offense completely. The Rebels are improved under head coach Hugh Freeze, but they were dealt a harsh reminder of where they stand in the SEC this past week. Now they sojourn down to that other SEC school in Alabama in a game that is very lose-able if they do not take Gus Malzahn and his Tigers seriously. Thus is life in the SEC, there are no guaranteed games.

8. Auburn

Last Week: Bye

This Week: 10/5 vs. Ole Miss

The Tigers enjoyed a bye week to prepare for Hugh Freeze and company. Auburn is going to need a reasonably good showing from its offense to take this game. The defense is improved, but they will have their work cut out for them against a balanced Ole Miss offense.

9. Vanderbilt 

Last Week: Won 52-24 over UAB

This Week: 10/5 vs. Mizzou 

Vandy handled UAB like they were supposed to. That is, they beat them soundly in front of an excitable crowd of 32,000. Now comes a Mizzou team that is the only undefeated team in the SEC East. This could be the battle that decides 4th place in the SEC East and ought to be a fun game to watch if either team actually had a following outside of their own alumni.

10. Missouri

Last Week: Won 41-19 over Arkansas State

This Week: 10/5 at Vandy

Mizzou continued their undefeated start, needing a 21 point 4th quarter to end all doubt against Arkansas State. Now they open SEC play with a road trip to Nashville. The offense looks to be much improved over last year, but that must be taken with a grain of salt considering Mizzou’s lousy level of competition to this point in the season.

11. Miss State

Last Week: Bye

This Week: 10/5 vs. LSU

The Bulldogs had a bye to prep for an LSU team that is sure to be steaming after losing a close game in Athens. Unless the Bulldogs offense provides an offensive dimension unseen to this point in the season, this game will probably be out of hand come the fourth quarter.

12. Tennessee

Last Week: Won 31-24 over South Alabama

This Week: 10/5 vs. UGA

The Vols failed to put away South Alabama when it had the chance thanks in large part to two horrendous Justin Worley interceptions that eliminated scoring chances for Tennessee. The Vols were lucky to escape with the win in regulation. On the plus side, that was the type of game the Vols had learned to lose under the direction of Derek Dooley the last two years, so kudos to them for not letting ineptitude rule the day. UGA’s defense has holes and communication issues, but it takes a quarterback being able to recognize those weaknesses and make them pay for it, and right now, Justin Worley has not shown the ability to consistently make defenses pay for blown assignments. He may be the best option for now, but his play is going to have to improve or one of the freshman is going to have to overtake him if the Vols are to beat any SEC opponent besides Kentucky.

13. Arkansas

Last Week: Lost 45-33 to A&M

This Week: 10/5 at Florida

The Hogs ran for days against A&M’s defense, but the Aggies offense just kept scoring and eventually Arkansas succumbed to what it is, a team with major talent deficiencies. Bret Bielema gets his introduction to playing on the road in the SEC by taking his team to the friendly confines of “The Swamp.”

14. Kentucky

Last Week: Lost 24-7 to Florida

This Week: 10/5 at South Carolina

Another week, another loss for Kentucky. Just like this week will be.

Questions?Thoughts?Concerns? Feel free to leave a comment or holler at me on twitter @thomasduggins