POWER RANKINGS

Breaking down the SEC

1. Alabama (8-0): The Tide will have a week when its defense or special teams doesn’t contribute a TD. They don’t play. (Last week: 1)

2. Texas A&M (6-1): The Aggies were in solid enough shape down six late in the third quarter at Alabama. Then it all fell apart. (LW: 2)

3. Auburn (5-2): The Tigers flat-out humiliated Arkansas last week to win their fourth in a row. (LW: 6)

4. Tennessee (5-2): The Vols aren’t going to solve all their injury woes in a bye week, but the schedule becomes tame. (LW: 3)

5. Florida (5-1): The Gators probably need to win their next four to claim the SEC East over Tennessee. (LW: 4)

6. LSU(5-2): The Tigers are undefeated since Ed Orgeron took over and they get two weeks to get ready for Alabama. (LW: 8)

7. Arkansas (5-3): So much for turning the corner after that victory over Mississippi. Auburn blasted them. (LW: 5)

8. Mississippi (3-4): The Rebels have yet to win in three trips outside of Oxford this season. Red-hot Auburn is next. (LW: 7)

9. Georgia (4-3): Kirby Smart looks to become the first Georgia coach to win his first matchup with Florida since 1989. (LW: 9)

10. Kentucky (4-3): The Wildcats bagged a badly needed victory over Mississippi State and have now won four of five. (LW: 10)

11. Vanderbilt (4-4): Handled business like it needed to against FCS school Tennessee State. (LW: 11)

12. South Carolina (3-4): The Gamecocks got a solid performance last week from true freshman QB Jake Bentley. (LW: 14)

13. Mississippi State (2-5): It now appears that the Bulldogs’ faint bowl hopes are fading. (LW: 12)

14. Missouri (2-5): It’s fast becoming clear that firstyear coach Barry Odom’s rebuilding task is a hefty one. (LW: 13)