POWER RANKINGS

Breaking down the SEC

1. Alabama: The Crimson Tide needs an off week to heal various bumps and bruises and also to send someone to catch DeVonta Smith.

2. LSU: Joe Burrow and the Tigers had the week off and still scored 52 points. It may be more than that against Utah State if LSU wakes up on time.

3. Georgia: Back in action after an open week, Jake Fromm and the Bulldogs should roll over in Tennessee in best Herschel Walker vs. Bill Bates fashion.

4. Auburn: AU might actually have climbed up in the ranking but the Tigers were docked 1,000 Power Poll points for running into Bully, the league’s cutest mascot.

5. Florida: In a defensive battle against Auburn, Florida’s chances may depend on Kyle Trask being steady, smart and, well, Bo Nix-ish.

6. Missouri: Troy was a trap game for Missouri (way back in 2004) but the Trojans seem less trappy this season and have a decent shot at a 10-win season.

7. Texas A&M: In a way, it was more worrisome to see the Aggies squeak past Arkansas than to see them lose to playoff contenders Clemson and Auburn.

8. Mississippi State: The Tommy Stevens Era appears to be over in Starkville and soon to be forgotten. Although you can’t blame him for a defense that allowed 21 first-half points.

9. South Carolina: It went largely unnoticed as Alabama scored its usual plethora of points but the Gamecocks have a decent-togood defensive line.

10. Kentucky: A promising year for Kentucky has devolved into “basketball is starting soon.”

11. Ole Miss: John Rhys Plumlee can run but can’t throw accurately. Matt Corral is a better passer but less dynamic.

12. Vanderbilt: In case you didn’t notice, Vandy won last weekend. And don’t worry because no one else noticed either.

13. Arkansas: Has Ben Hicks replaced Nick Starkel, who took the Razorback quarterback job away from Hicks earlier this year?

14. Tennessee: Hopefully the Vols used the open week to tidy up their basement room because they aren’t moving anywhere with Georgia coming to town.