POWER RANKINGS

Breaking down the SEC

1. Alabama (5-0): Five games in, the Tide’s biggest headache has stemmed from a backup QB’s decision to transfer. (Last week: 1) 2. Tennessee (5-0): The Volunteers are firmly in control of the SEC East after winning a wild one at Georgia. (LW: 2) 3. Texas A&M (5-0): Once again, the Aggies are 5-0. Once again, they face a defining stretch in October. (LW: 3)

4. Mississippi (3-2): A two-game road trip awaits the Rebels after their bye week, starting with an Oct. 15 visit to Arkansas. (LW: 4) 5. Arkansas (4-1): Had little trouble brushing aside Alcorn State in a tuneup for this week’s showdown with Alabama. (LW: 5) 6. Florida (4-1): After mustering 13 points in a victory at Vanderbilt, the same questions as last year are surfacing for the Gators. (LW: 6)

7. Auburn (3-2): The Tigers cruised past UL Monroe behind Kerryon Johnson’s 146 rushing yards and two TDs. (LW: 7) 8. Louisiana State (3-2): The Tigers rolled past Missouri in Ed Orgeron’s debut as interim coach. (LW: 9) 9. Georgia (3-2): The Bulldogs have to be crushed by the manner in which they lost to Tennessee. (LW: 8) 10. Mississippi State (2-2): The Bulldogs come out of their bye to face a suddenly dangerous Auburn squad. (LW: 10) 11. Missouri (2-3): Had no answers in Death Valley against Louisiana State’s reserve running backs. (LW: 11) 12. Kentucky (2-3): They’ll need to recover quickly from loss to Tide, to deal with Vanderbilt’s stingy defense. (LW: 12) 13. South Carolina (2-3): Thirteen points will cut it against a few teams in the SEC, but Texas A&M sure isn’t one of them. (LW: 13) 14. Vanderbilt (2-3): If the Commodores are going to take the bad offense/good defense approach, they can’t afford three-turnover days. (LW: 14)