SEC Power Rankings Week 3

While the top team from last week didn’t do anything to change my mind about them, two teams in the East earned big wins on the road that propelled them up the rankings.

As for the rest of the conference, it was a week of cupcakes for most and one disappointing loss at home to one of the best teams in the country.

Here is how the rankings shake out.

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0)

Last Week- #1

There wasn’t much to the fact that the Tide went on to dominate Arkansas State 57-7 except that they beat the Louisville Cardinals just as bad in week one. Tua Tagovailoa added four touchdowns to his Heisman resume and Jalen Hurts scored touchdowns in meaningful minutes upping his stock for his transfer next season.

Week 3: at Ole Miss 7:00 PM on ESPN

#2 Georgia Bulldogs (2-0, 1-0)

Last Week- #4

All of the football talking heads tried to convince us all that the Dawgs were walking into a landmine in Columbia, South Carolina. Jake Fromm and his never ending host of running backs proved them wrong by stomping the daylights out of the #24 Gamecocks as Sandstorm eked through the speakers. The 41-17 score proved THEY are the team to beat in the East.

Week 3- vs. MTSU 7:15 PM on ESPN 2

#3 Auburn Tigers (2-0)

Last Week- #2

While the Auburn Tigers were cruising past Alabama State 63-9, Georgia was making a definitive statement so I had to knock them down a peg. The other team in Alabama did enough to stay in the top three by cruising and letting their reserves do most of the first work. They still own a top 10 win in college football.

Week 3- vs. #11 LSU 3:30 PM on CBS

#4 Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-0)

Last Week- #5

The 31-10 win on the road at Kansas State wasn’t some fluke. The Bulldogs are REALLY good and they have an emerging national star with Kylin Hill. He rushed for 211 yards and scored two touchdowns. He’s getting compared to Saquon Barkley. Add a vicious defense and the Dogs out of Starkville are going to be in the thick of it in the West.

Week 3- vs. ULL 7:30 PM on SEC Network

#5 LSU Tigers (2-0)

Last Week- #3

The Bayou Bengals went on to rout Southeast Louisiana State 31-0 in the Swamp. Ed Orgeron has a nasty defense and finally has an offense that looks competent. The throttling of Miami looks even more impressive as the Hurricanes put up 77 points albeit against a vastly inferior opponent. They have the game of the week vs. Auburn and we will finally see some separation in the West.

Week 3- at #7 Auburn 3:30 PM on CBS

#6 Kentucky Wildcats (2-0, 1-0)

Last Week- #11

The biggest jump comes with a defining win for Mark Stoops. The Wildcats exorcised the demons winning in the Swamp 27-16 and they dominated while doing it. The Cats have one of the best offensive players in the SEC with Benny Snell and one of the best defensive players in the SEC with Josh Allen, so this was no fluke. Kentucky will rack up another win this week and then it’s back to the proving grounds as they welcome in Mississippi State the following week.

Week 3- vs. Murray State 12:00 PM on SEC Network

#7 Texas A&M Aggies (1-1)

Last Week- #6

I won’t punish the Aggies too much for losing to #2 Clemson 28-26 in College Station. They had a chance to tie the game with a two point conversion at the end and Kellen Mond is absolutely the real deal at QB. He threw for 430 yards and three touchdowns against one of the best defenses in the country. Jimbo Fisher is going to have things rolling in College Station sooner rather than later.

Week 3- vs. ULM 7:30 PM on SEC Network

#8 Ole Miss Rebels (2-0)

Last Week- #8

It’s hard to tell what Matt Luke has at Ole Miss. The offense is no joke as they 76 points against Southern Southern Illinois. But the defense also gave up 41 points. Once the Rebels start playing teams of a higher caliber I think the Emperor will prove to have no clothes. Things get real as a focused and ready Bama team is the next challenge.

Week 3- vs. #1 Alabama 7:00 PM on ESPN

#9 Missouri Tigers (2-0)

Last Week- #10

I think of Missouri much the same way that I think of Ole Miss: offense great, defense unknown. They beat Wyoming 40-13 and Drew Lock looked amazing. But their wins aren’t coming against big time opponents. I think they are improved from last year and I do think they have the make-up to contend for second place in the East along with Kentucky, Florida, and South Carolina. But I don’t think next week will give us anymore answers as they face a hapless team out of the Big 10.

Week 3- at Purdue 7:00 PM on the Big Ten Network

#10 Vanderbilt Commodores (2-0)

Last Week- #13

Kyle Shurmur and Ke’Shawn Vaughn provided four touchdowns between them as the Dores demolished the visiting Nevada Wolfpack 41-10. Derek Mason’s team so far looks much improved from last season. But like Mizzou and Ole Miss, the competition has been lackluster so it’s hard to really evaluate them as of right now. We will find out what they are made of as they face a top ten opponent on the road on national TV.

Week 3- at #8 Notre Dame 2:30 PM on NBC

#11 South Carolina Gamecocks (1-1, 0-1)

Last Week- #9

Will Muschamp and his team received a startling wake up call as they were embarrassed by Georgia. The two teams from the East did not look like peers. The resurrection of Cocky may have been greatly exaggerated. Or maybe Georgia is just that damn good.

Week 3- vs. Marshall 7:30 PM on ESPNU

#12 Florida Gators (1-1, 0-1)

Last Week- #7

Dan Mullen and the Gators are licking their wounds and losing players after the Kentucky Wildcats came into the Swamp and beat the hell out of them. If Gator fans thought that Mullen was bringing that old Urban Meyer Magic back to Gainesville, they have another thing coming.

Week 3- vs. Colorado State 4:00 PM on SEC Network

#13 Arkansas Razorbacks (1-1)

Last Week- #12

Don’t start the Calling of the Swine just yet. The Piggies looked like world beaters in week one against some patsy. Then they got an 0-2 Rams team so they should have won. But hold the phone: Colorado State won 34-27. It’s going to be a LONG season in the West for the Fayetteville fans.

Week 3- vs. North Texas 4:00 PM on SEC Network

#14 Tennessee Volunteers (1-1)

Last Week- #14

Aaaawwwwwww.... Look at that! Jeremy Pruitt got his first win as a head coach! Isn’t that cute!

Week 3- vs. UTEP 12:00 PM on SEC Network