We’re back with our Week 7 power rankings (you can see our Week 6 rankings here). Georgia is fully operational and Alabama has taken complete control of the SEC West which is both surprising and not really all that surprising at the same time. We had two upstarts miss big opportunities (one in embarrassing fashion) and Vandy doing what Vandy does. Lets get in to it.
1. Georgia 6-0 (3-0)
Georgia reminded everyone what they are about this weekend with a 51-13 dismantling of Kentucky. Carson Beck had his coming out party as he threw for 388 yards and 4 TD in just 3 quarters. Georgia undoubtedly played their best game of the season and it felt like they were sending a message to everyone.
Up next Georgia heads on the road to take on a hapless Vanderbilt team. For some reason this game is on CBS (poor Vandy) and kicks off at noon ET.
2. Alabama 5-1 (3-0)
The Tide took control of the SEC West with a 26-20 win on the road over Texas A&M. QB Jalen Milroe threw for 321 yards and 3 TD and WR Jermaine Burton caught 9 balls for 197 yards and 2 TD. The Tide held the Aggies to under 70 yards rushing and racked up 6 TFL (including 5 sacks). There were still some concerning issues as Alabama could only muster 23 rushing yards but they completely controlled the 2nd half of the game.
Up next for Alabama they welcome a reeling Arkansas to Tuscaloosa. The games kicks off at noon ET on ESPN.
3. Ole Miss 5-1 (2-1)
The 16th ranked Rebels found themselves in a bit of a dogfight in the 4th quarter but ultimately came from behind to beat Arkansas 27-20 at home. Jaxson Dart had a quiet day only throwing for 153 yards, but the most encouraging thing was the Ole Miss defense looking competent. After getting lit up last week by LSU, the Rebels picked off KJ Jefferson twice and racked up 10 TFL.
Ole Miss is on a bye this week.
4. LSU 4-2 (3-1)
LSU kept themselves alive in the SEC West race with a 49-39 win on the road against Missouri. QB Jayden Daniels threw for 259 yards and 3 TD while also rushing for 130 yards and added another TD on the ground. LSU has one of the best offenses in the country, but the issue remains their defense. They gave up 500 yards of offense again and at this point this is just who they are. They are still alive for the SEC West but it’s hard to see how they get through the rest of the schedule unscathed.
An offensively challenged Auburn team comes to Baton Rouge this week and if they can’t stop this version of Auburn there may need to be some immediate changes. The game kicks off at 7pm ET on ESPN.
5. Tennessee 4-1 (1-1)
The 19th ranked Vols move up simply because they didn’t lose. Tennessee got the week off and will be welcoming Texas A&M into Neyland Stadium this Saturday. The game kicks off at 3:30pm ET on CBS.
6. Texas A&M 4-2 (2-1)
The Aggies missed a huge opportunity this weekend losing at home to Alabama 26-20. A&M had the lead at HT but in true Jimbo fashion started playing tight and it cost them. Back-up QB Max Johnson led a valiant effort, but a blocked FG, a safety, and confusingly settling for a FG on the 2-yard line down 9 were too much to overcome.
Texas A&M has another tough game this week as they travel to Knoxville to take on the 19th ranked Vols. They had dreams of finally getting to Atlanta this year but now they’ll need to win out and get some help.
7. Missouri 5-1 (1-1)
Missouri missed a big opportunity to be taken seriously this past weekend after losing 49-39 to LSU. Brady Cook balled out as he led an offense that put up over 500 yards of offense as Missouri jumped out to a 22-7 lead. His 2 INT were back-breaking though including the final mistake that was returned for a TD and essentially ended the game.
Missouri will have to rebound quickly as they head to Lexington to take on an angry Kentucky team (one that has owned them). The game kicks off at 6:30pm ET on the SECN.
8. Kentucky 5-1 (2-1)
It was an all systems failure for Kentucky down in Athens. What everyone thought was a good defense gave up over 600 yards of offense and the offense committed a variety of horrendous mistakes that led to the snowballing. Kentucky could be a victim of timing with Georgia finally deciding to play football and the Wildcats playing their worst game of the season. Kentucky seemingly has one of these type of games a year (last year it was at Tennessee) and usually it doesn’t linger long. The Wildcats can’t have any hangover this year because a tough Missouri team comes to town this week.
9. Florida 4-2 (2-1)
After getting bullied last week by Kentucky, Florida came out and did what they should do to Vanderbilt, winning 38-14. It wasn’t exactly domination though as it was only a two-score game going into the 4th quarter. The run game got back on track for the Gators as they put up over 200 yards on the ground and Mertz continued his efficient play.
Up next for Florida is a big game at South Carolina. The game kicks off at 3:30pm ET on the SECN.
10. South Carolina 2-3 (1-2)
The Gamecocks were off this past week. They welcome Florida to Columbia, SC this week in what is virtually a must-win if they want to do more than finish 6-6.
11. Arkansas 2-4 (0-3)
Arkansas once again competed but fell short to a good team on the road. KJ Jefferson is putting the team on his back but it’s clear he can’t win games on his own. They could generate nothing on the ground with Rocket Sanders only mustering 15 yards on 8 carries and only 36 yards as a team. Defensively they did do a good job slowing down the Ole Miss offense.
Arkansas continues their brutal stretch of games with a road trip to Alabama.
12. Auburn 3-2 (0-2)
Auburn was off this past week and they travel to Baton Rouge to take on LSU this upcoming weekend.
13. Mississippi State 3-3 (0-3)
Mississippi State got out of the SEC this past week and got a 41-28 win over Western Michigan. The Bulldogs rushed for 194 yards and Will Rogers threw 3 TD. After jumping out to a big lead it is a little concerning that the Bulldogs let WMU hang around in the 4th quarter but the most important thing for the program was getting a win.
Mississippi State now enters their bye week.
14. Vanderbilt 2-5 (0-3)
Vanderbilt once again competed. Back-up QB Ken Seals threw for 280 yards and Will Sheppard continues to prove he’s a high-level SEC WR. The Commodores just don’t have the talent to compete and everyone in the SEC knows it. Florida (like Kentucky and Missouri before them) didn’t seem to play with that much intensity and Vandy still never really had a chance to win the game.
Vanderbilt now welcomes Georgia to Nashville and are just hoping to survive.
