POWERRANKINGS

Breaking down the SEC

1. Alabama (10-0):

The Crimson Tide were a bit off, Mississippi State was quite good and Nick Saban’s team still survived. (Last week: 1)

2. Auburn (8-2):

Step one in the Tigers’ plan for making the playoff as a two loss team is in the books thanks to a rout of Georgia. (LW: 3)

3. Georgia (9-1):

Got smacked at Auburn and then saw their best victory (Notre Dame) devalued when the Irish lost. (LW: 2)

4. Mississippi State (7-3):

The Bulldogs’ three losses have come against teams with a combined 27-3 record. (LW: 4)

5. Louisiana State (7-3):

Tigers have put themselves in a decent position for a 10-win season after rough September. (LW: 5)

6. South Carolina (7-3):

Will Muschamp’s second shot continues to pay dividends for the Gamecocks. (LW: 6)

7. Kentucky(7-3):

The Wildcats handled Vanderbilt to secure a winning season, and now it’s a matter of how far they can take things. (LW: 7)

8. Texas A&M (6-4):

The Aggies hit the road for Oxford a week after securing bowl eligibility. (LW: 8)

9. Missouri (5-5):

Playing in the SEC East has helped, but that doesn’t fully explain the Tigers’ turnaround since a 1-5 start. (LW: 11)

10. Mississippi (5-5):

Credit to the Rebels for playing for pride and interim coach Matt Luke all season. (LW: 10)

11. Arkansas (4-6):

The Razorbacks must find a way past Mississippi State and Missouri to get to a bowl game this season. (LW: 13)

The Gators are in a tailspin and face one of the best stories in college football this season in bowl-bound UAB. (LW: 12)

12. Florida (3-6):

13. Vanderbilt (4-6):

You have to like the Commodores’ chances of knocking off Tennessee if they spring a surprise on Missouri. (LW: 14)

14. Tennessee (4-6):

The Butch Jones saga has reached its inevitable conclusion. Now to find a new coach. (LW: 9)