SEC Power Rankings for Week 8

The 2020 SEC season has been a wild one to say the least, and this week wasn’t any different.

This week also featured a matchup between not only the top two teams in the conference, but two of the best teams in the country.

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0)

Last week: #1

The Tide had their biggest test of the season as it was #2 vs #3 in the polls as they faced off with Georgia.

This one lived up to the hype heading into the kickoff as a drama filled first half saw the Bulldogs take a 24-20 lead into the break.

However, the 2^nd half was much cleaner for the Tide and the defense stepped up in a big way forcing two turnovers.

With the 41-24-win, Nick Saban remains undefeated against his former assistants turned head coach.

Week 8: @ Tennessee

#2 Georgia Bulldogs (3-1)

Last week: #2

The Bulldogs came into this week with an opportunity to make a massive statement with a chance to knock off Alabama.

The game got off to a great start for the Bulldogs as they went toe to toe with the Tide and held a 24-20 lead at the break.

However, in the 2^nd half Georgia caught the turnover bug as they turned it over twice on their way to a 41-24 loss to the Tide.

Week 8: BYE

#3 Texas A&M Aggies (3-1)

Last week: #5

The Aggies came into this week after a massive win over Florida last week and were facing a Mississippi State team that has shown they can either be world beaters or the polar opposite.

Besides the rough opening week and a loss to Alabama, the Aggies have looked like one of the better teams in the country and came away with a 28-14 road win over the Bulldogs.

The damage was done on the ground as they rushed for 186-yards and 2 TDs. However, their defense was also able to force two turnovers.

Week 8: BYE

#4 Florida Gators (2-1)

Last week: #3

The Gators were looking to bounce back after their loss on a last second FG to Texas A&M the previous week.

However, due to the team unfortunately having multiple players test positive for Coronavirus, their week 7 game had to be postponed.

We should all wish nothing but a speedy recovery for anyone dealing with this virus and hopefully they can get back on the field soon.

Week 8: BYE

#5 Auburn Tigers (2-2)

Last week: #4

The Tigers are not off to the start that many envisioned after dropping their game this week to South Carolina 30-22.

Auburn jumped out to the early 9-0 lead and held a 16-14 lead at the half. However, the Tigers’ offense was held to just two FGs in the 2^nd half while giving up 16 points to the Gamecocks.

Despite out gaining the Gamecocks by nearly 200 total yards, the three turnovers proved to be the difference in the end.

Week 8: @ Ole Miss

#6 Kentucky Wildcats (2-2)

Last week: #9

The Wildcats were entering territory that hadn’t provided much success in their history as they hadn’t won at Tennessee since 1984.

However, the Cats walked into Neyland Stadium and completely dominated the Vols especially defensively.

The Kentucky defense picked off the Vols on three straight possessions with the first two being pick 6s to get a quick 17-0 lead and take a 17-7 lead into the break.

In the 2^nd half, the Cats would outscore the Vols 17-0 to roll over Tennessee for a historic 34-7 victory.

Besides the two games to start the year, this Kentucky defense has looked like one of the best in the country as they have given up just 9-points the last two games while also getting 9 INTs.

Week 8: @ Missouri

#7 LSU Tigers (1-2)

Last week: #8

The Tigers were scheduled to face off with Vanderbilt as they were looking to get back on the winning track.

However, the Commodores also had an outbreak of Coronavirus cases which forced this week’s game to be postponed to a later date.

Week 8: vs South Carolina

#8 Tennessee Volunteers (2-2)

Last week: #6

The Volunteers were looking to bounce back after their loss to Georgia last week and history was in their favor as they had beaten Kentucky 17 straight times in Knoxville.

However, the Vols came out and caught the turnover bug once again as they coughed it up 4 times on their way to a blowout loss 34-7.

Tennessee’s offense has some serious issues with turning the ball over and they have a lot of work to do going forward but their schedule isn’t shaping up well for them.

Week 8: vs Alabama

#9 Arkansas Razorbacks (2-2)

Last week: #10

Could we be seeing the return of Arkansas football?

The Razorbacks were a last second FG away from taking down Auburn just last week. However, they didn’t let it faze them this week as they were able to shut down one of the top offenses in the SEC.

Arkansas has been the most shocking team so far this season and they kept the momentum building as they defeated Ole Miss 33-21 to get back to .500 on the year.

We will soon know what this Arkansas team is made of with their tough schedule going forward.

Week 8: BYE

#10 South Carolina Gamecocks (2-2)

Last week: #13

The Gamecocks hadn’t got off to the start that they wanted after some tough losses to start the year.

However, this week they got their 2^nd win in a row as they defended home field against Auburn getting the 30-22 victory.

The Gamecocks’ defense was able to force Bo Nix into three INTs which proved to be the difference in this one.

Week 8: @ LSU

#11 Ole Miss Rebels (1-3)

Last week: #7

A week after the Rebels had a real shot to take down Alabama, they drop their 2^nd in a row as they fell to Arkansas 33-21.

Ole Miss has had one of the top offenses in the conference so far this season, however they were not able to find the end zone much against the Arkansas defense as they struggled to hold onto the ball.

The Rebels put up 442 total yards of offense, but it only resulted in 21-points due to the fact that they turned it over 7 times. Meanwhile, their defense continues to struggle as they gave up 33 points.

Week 8: vs Auburn

#12 Missouri Tigers (1-2)

Last week: #12

The Tigers were looking to build off their impressive win over the defending national champions a week ago in a thriller.

However, due to Vanderbilt having an outbreak of Coronavirus, their matchup this week had to be postponed to a later date.

Week 8: vs Kentucky

#13 Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-3)

Last week: #11

The Bulldogs got off to such a great start with their win over LSU on the road in the opening week.

However, since then it has been turnover city for the Bulldog offense, and they coughed it up two more times this week.

I am not sure that the “Air Raid” is an offense that can work in the SEC anymore and it is showing with this Mike Leach style of offense as they drop their third game in a row losing to Texas A&M 28-14.

They will need to take this week off and try to figure out how to fix this offense that has been putrid since their opening game against an LSU team that doesn’t look anything like their 2019 roster.

Week 8: BYE

#14 Vanderbilt Commodores (0-3)

Last week: #14

The good news for the Commodores is that they didn’t lose this week.

Unfortunately, their scheduled game with Missouri had to be postponed due to Vandy having an outbreak of Coronavirus cases.

We should all wish nothing but a speedy recovery for anyone dealing with this virus and hopefully they can get back on the field soon.

Week 8: BYE