POWER RANKINGS

Breaking down the SEC

1. Alabama: College Station has never quite been a trap for Alabama but it’s never been easy either.

2. LSU: The Tigers put together all three phases of the game against Utah State. Florida will be tougher but the “Tiger Stadium at night” mystique will be at full force.

3. Georgia: The issue around Georgia right now seems to be “playing four quarters.” But so far, 2.5 quarters seems to be enough.

4. Florida: The Gators beat Auburn with big plays on offense, a big defensive effort, some weirdness and help from the AU offense. Whether they will get No. 4 in Baton Rouge is the problem.

5. Auburn: Lots of issues on offense were unmasked at Florida and there is no offensive coordinator to blame them on.

6. Missouri: Mizzou QB Kelly Bryant isn’t out for the year (don’t know about this week) but the loss of LB Cale Garrett hurts the Tigers’ dark-horse chances.

7. Texas A&M: Not making any Alamo jokes before heading to Texas for the weekend but this does feel like Jimbo’s Last Stand for the 2019 season.

8. Mississippi State: Bully vs. Smoky is a great mascot matchup. On the field, MSU better pay attention or this UT game could be a shocker

9. South Carolina: As always, the Gamecocks could make their game with Georgia interesting but they won’t.

10. Ole Miss: Intriguing game at Missouri but I don’t know if the Ole Miss “D” can win on the road.

11. Kentucky: There is another one of those terrible-sounding but very “important for bowl eligibility games” in Lexington as UK and Arkansas strive for that elusive goal.

12. Arkansas: It will be interesting to see if the Hogs can have some carry-over from a decent showing against Texas A&M last week.

13. Vanderbilt: Still can’t quite slide Vandy into the basement but the Commodores just don’t have it and I would probably choose Tennessee on a neutral field.

14. Tennessee: A sincere apology to Big Orange fans who showed up for the Georgia game. Didn’t translate on the scoreboard but maybe the Volunteers are still kicking.