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SEC Football Power Rankings After Week 5: Auburn Remains Steady
Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; SEC football LSU Tigers interim head coach Ed Orgeron celebrates following a win in his first game against the Missouri Tigers at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Missouri 42-7. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Here we give our SEC football power rankings after five weeks of the 2016 college football season. Not much changed from week four.
The SEC football season is in full force now after five weeks of play and teams are starting to settle into place. We didn’t have much shakeup in week five as everything went just about as scripted.
Georgia almost shook up the SEC football landscape with an upset over Tennessee, but a last second Hailmary helped the Vols remain undefeated.
Florida continues to struggle without Luke Del Rio at quarterback, but they survived a defensive battle against Vanderbilt.
Alabama and Texas A&M took care of Kentucky and South Carolina respectively; although the Gamecocks’ defense gave the Aggies some trouble.
One of the most impressive performances of the weekend came from LSU who absolutely dominated Missouri. I thought Missouri had a chance to catch LSU off guard in that one, but Coach O had LSU ready.
In out-of-conference games Ole Miss, Arkansas and Auburn took care of inferior opponents fairly easily. The combined score of those three games was 158-45. That’s pretty crazy.
We knew week five wouldn’t exactly tell us anything about the SEC as none of the top teams were playing each other. There were no major upsets, and everyone played as expected, so there won’t be much shakeup in the power rankings.
That won’t be the case this weekend with three matchups amongst teams in my top eight, including a matchup between two teams in my top four.
Oct 1, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores punter Sam Loy (19) fumbles a punt attempt in the fourth quarter against the Florida Gators at Vanderbilt Stadium. Florida won 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
14 – Vanderbilt – Even
The Commodores put a scare into the Gators on Saturday as they had a chance to win in the final minute, but came up short 13-6.
The defense looked more like we expected it to be at the beginning of the year. However, Florida has not been the same offensively without Luke Del Rio at quarterback.
Still, you would expect the Gators to put up more than 13 points against Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt has a big game this weekend against Kentucky in which a win could help them get out of the basement and put them in a position to make a bowl game.
They still have three winnable games on their schedule, including Kentucky this weekend, and then will need find an upset along the way.
Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Arden Key (49) and defensive tackle Greg Gilmore (99) sack Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
13 – Missouri – Down Two
It’s amazing how different Missouri is when they’re playing good competition. In their two games against non-power five teams they’ve outscored their opponents 140-21. In their three games against power five teams they’ve been outscored 96-45.
I really thought Missouri had a chance to upset LSU after the firing of Les Miles. I thought it would take time for LSU to get in a rhythm under Coach O, and Missouri would be able to score enough to win a low-scoring game.
However, that was not the case as LSU’s offense absolutely lit up the scoreboard on Saturday without Leonard Fournette.
Drew Lock, who had been brilliant, was just 17-of-37 passing for 167 yards and an interception for Missouri. It goes to show you that you can’t put much stock in games against FCS teams.
They get a bye week before going to the Swamp. Then they have a stretch of four games that they have to win in order to go bowling.
Oct 1, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Chris Lammons (3) reacts in the closing moments of their loss to the Texas A&M Aggies in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
12 – South Carolina – Up One
The Gamecocks showed a lot of fight against Texas A&M on Saturday. It was just 14-10 going into the fourth quarter, and 21-13 with under five minutes left in the game before a late field goal by Texas A&M sealed the game.
There is no doubt that Will Muschamp has set the foundation for a very strong defense at South Carolina that is going to keep them in some games.
The trick, just like when he was at Florida, will be whether or not his team can find enough offense.
They’re tied for 126th in the nation in scoring offense putting up just 14 points per game. They’ve yet to score over 20 points in any one game this season.
Their game this weekend at home against Georgia will be very interesting. The Bulldogs are vulnerable and prime to get upset.
South Carolina will need an upset or two along the way if they’re going to reach a bowl game.
Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats safety Mike Edwards (27) reacts after Alabama Crimson Tide scored late in the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated Kentucky 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
11 – Kentucky – Up One
It’s hard to say a team looked pretty good when they only scored six points, but they made Alabama work for everything they got on Saturday.
Mark Stoops’ defense finally looked like a Mark Stoops’ defense holding the Crimson Tide to just 34 points.
Still, they struggled to score against an SEC team. They’ve now scored a combined 23 points in their three SEC games this year.
The game against Vanderbilt this weekend won’t draw many headlines, but I can’t tell you how important that game is for Stoops and Kentucky.
A loss this weekend could derail this team pretty quickly, and ultimately lead to the end of Stoops tenure in Lexington.
A win this weekend and they’re still alive for a bowl game if they can upset someone.
Sep 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) and line backer DeAndre Ward (28) celebrate after defeating the Massachusetts Minutemen 47-35 at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
10 – Mississippi State – Even
The Bulldogs were one their bye week this past weekend resting up for their big matchup against Auburn.
It’s been quite the start to the 2016 season for Dan Mullen and Mississippi State. Everyone knew they’d be in a rebuilding mode after losing Dak Prescott, but no one thought they would lose to South Alabama to start the season.
They seemed to bounce back nicely against South Carolina, and then almost came up with an upset win against LSU that might have gotten Les Miles fired sooner.
The goal for the Bulldogs this season is to get to a bowl game, and I’m not sure that’s possible if they lose to Auburn this weekend.
After Auburn they travel to take on a tough BYU team, then they have winnable games against Kentucky and Samford. But their last four games are all against teams who are currently ranked.
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) catches a game winning touchdown pass in front of Georgia Bulldogs safety Dominick Sanders (24) on the last play on the game during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
9 – Georgia – Even
Georgia came out and played inspired football at home against Tennessee, and for a second it looked like they were going to move up in these rankings.
But then they somehow let a Tennessee receiver out-jump four defensive backs and come down with the football.
The Bulldogs showed a lot of fight in that game when they could have easily given up. Jacob Eason made one of the best passes I’ve seen all season to take the lead with under a minute left in that game. He is only going to get better as the season goes on.
However, now the Bulldogs have two SEC losses, which makes their chances of getting to Atlanta difficult.
The good news is that they only have one ranked team left on their schedule in Florida. They could easily run the table and finish the year strong, but I still think this team hits a few speed bumps along the way.
Oct 1, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain and Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason after a Florida win at Vanderbilt Stadium. Florida won 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
8 – Florida – Down Three
I can’t say this enough, but the difference when Florida has a good quarterback and when they don’t is drastic.
Through the first three weeks Florida looked like a top 10 team with Luke Del Rio at quarterback. However, in the two weeks without him they’ve looked like a mediocre football team.
It sounds like he will be coming back for the LSU game this weekend, and Florida desperately needs him. Their defense is second to none in the SEC, but they need Del Rio in order to do anything on offense.
The Gators just have one SEC loss, and with Tennessee playing Texas A&M and Alabama the next two weeks they aren’t out of the SEC Championship picture yet.
They need a big win at home against LSU this weekend to stay in the hunt. They can’t afford another SEC loss.
Oct 1, 2016; Little Rock, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Jared Cornelius (1) on a kick return in the first quarter against the Alcorn State Braves at War Memorial Stadium. The kick return was called back due to a penalty on the return team. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
7 – Arkansas – Even
The Razorbacks bounced back nicely from their first defeat of the season by beating Alcorn State 52-10. While we know those games mean nothing, it’s better than winning by just two to Nicholls State.
Their win over TCU doesn’t look as great now after the Horned Frogs were beaten by Oklahoma, but they have a chance to make another statement against Alabama this weekend.
It’s hard for me to consider Arkansas a contender after all they lost last year.
They’ve played Alabama tight the past couple of years, so maybe this is the year they knock off the Tide. The game being in Fayetteville will definitely help, but I’m not sure that will be enough.
Austin Allen doesn’t fit the bill as the type of quarterback that can beat Alabama. However, if he has that gun-slinger mentality that Chad Kelly has, I think they can press Alabama’s secondary with Jeremy Sprinkle and their talented wide receivers.
The Razorbacks are about to go through a brutal stretch of football that includes games against Ole Miss, Auburn, Florida and LSU. They’ll be lucky to come out with one win during that stretch, and I still think this team struggles to make a bowl game.
Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers interim head coach Ed Orgeron during the fourth quarter of a game against the Missouri Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
6 – LSU – Up Three
LSU was the most impressive SEC football team in week five after putting up 42 points on Missouri. Coach O said they would come out with a new offensive philosophy, and that definitely worked this past weekend.
Let’s not get caught up in the outcome of that game against a bad Missouri team, but the numbers are impressive none-the-less, especially considering their best offensive weapon didn’t even play.
The defense they’ll be going up against this weekend is a little better then what Missouri put out last Saturday. We’ll see just how improved that offense is when they go up against the Florida Gators.
There is no question that LSU is one of the most talented teams in the country, and if they have found an identity on offense there is a chance they could run the table the rest of the season.
They still have a lot of difficult games left on their schedule though with Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas and Texas A&M.
We’ll know a lot more about how this LSU team is going to do the rest of the season after this weekend’s matchup with Florida.
Oct 1, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers receiver Nate Craig-Myers (3) makes a touchdown catch as UL-Monroe Warhawks safety Aaron Townsend (31) defends during the third quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
5 – Auburn – Even
The Tigers continued their dominance over the Sun Belt this year with a 58-7 blasting over Louisiana Monroe last weekend.
They have one of the best rushing attacks in the nation, and Sean White is getting more comfortable throwing the ball every week.
This defense continues to impress, and is becoming one of the best in the country.
Things are looking up on the Plains with back-to-back wins and now they face their most important game of the season.
Their first five games this year were all at home, and now they face their first road test in Starkville. I’m not sure how some of the young guys will respond to their first road game.
This is a game that Auburn has to win in order for this to be a successful season. They are the more talented team, but we’ll see if they play like it Saturday morning.
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (C) is carried off the field by team mates after catching the game winning touchdown pass against the Georgia Bulldogs on the last play on the game during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
4 – Tennessee – Even
You have to wonder if these slow starts are going to catch up with them as the competition picks up. It nearly cost them against Georgia in a game they should have lost.
However, the Volunteers remain undefeated and are alive for not only the SEC Championship, but the College Football Playoffs.
The two biggest weeks of the season are coming up for Tennessee as they take on Texas A&M and Alabama in back-to-back weeks.
They’ve already taken out Florida and Georgia in the SEC East, setting up their path to the SEC Championship game.
If they can get by the Aggies and Crimson Tide, their path to an undefeated regular season is clear.
Even if they just lose one game the next two weeks, it would take a monumental upset for them not to make it to Atlanta.
This is your chance Tennessee, don’t choke.
Oct 1, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) reacts after a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Memphis Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 48-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
3 – Ole Miss – Even
The Rebels got some revenge last Saturday when they took down Memphis at home 48-28 after losing to them last year.
Things got tight for a minute in the third quarter when it was 27-21, but the Rebels quickly put an end to that comeback.
Even though Ole Miss has two losses, this is not a team you want to be playing down the stretch this year as they have the potential to be one of the best teams in the country.
When they play to their potential they have the ability to beat anyone.
Ole Miss will get a much needed bye week this weekend before traveling to play Arkansas and LSU.
There is a very good chance that this team, like LSU, could run the table the rest of the way and finish with 10 wins.
Oct 1, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; Texas A&M Aggies players celebrate following their win over the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
2 – Texas A&M – Even
Texas A&M gave up a 75-yard touchdown to start the game against South Carolina, but the defense held them to just two field goals the rest of the day.
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What was surprising, was that the Texas A&M offense failed to score more than 24 points against South Carolina. The offense finished with over 400 total yards, but you expect them to put up more points than they did.
You have to credit the South Carolina defense, which was able to slow them up. That could give other teams a blueprint for limiting the Aggies’ offense.
They’ll need to make sure the offense is clicking on all cylinders against Tennessee this weekend. Especially in the first half when Tennessee seems to just give points to the other team.
If the Aggies can jump out to a big lead like most teams have against Tennessee, I think their defense is good enough to avoid that second half comeback that the Volunteers have been banking on.
The Aggies’ luckily get a bye week after the Tennessee game before taking on Alabama in a game that could decide the SEC West.
Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) catches a pass against Kentucky Wildcats at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated Kentucky 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
1 – Alabama – Even
I really expected Alabama to put a hurting on Kentucky after all the talk about them being distracted during the week leading up to that game, but maybe they were distracted.
It’s hard to trash on a team that won a game 34-6, but I thought Alabama was a bit sloppy in this game, especially in the first half.
In the end they put up 488 yards of total offense, but they still don’t have a running back. The good thing for Alabama fans is that Lane Kiffin has finally found a way to get Calvin Ridley involved in the game plan.
The defense suffered no setbacks as they held Kentucky to just 161 total yards and a couple of field goals.
Again, its Kentucky so you can’t take too much away from that game, but I still think Alabama has problems on offense.
They have a very tough stretch of games coming up with Arkansas on the road this weekend before playing Tennessee, Texas A&M and LSU.
If they get through that stretch without losing a game, I’ll be highly impressed.
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