As the calendar turns to November, we are heading down the home stretch of the college football season. Each week brings clarity, and the Southeastern Conference has played itself down to a handful of teams with legitimate chances at winning the conference.
With the top teams either on a bye week or holding serve against lesser opponents, there isn’t much movement in this week’s rankings.
1. Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC)
Alabama had a bye week to get ready for LSU, one of the few potential roadblocks in the way of a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.
It’s been more than a month since the Tide played a quality opponent, so it will be interesting to see if they struggle to begin the game. It’s not likely Nick Saban will let that happen, but it’s hard to nitpick at a team that’s been so dominant.
Last Week: 1
2. Auburn (8-1, 4-1 SEC)
With four touchdowns against Arkansas, Tre Mason is continuing to make a strong case for being the most underrated running back in the SEC, and maybe the nation.
Combined with steady play from quarterback Nick Marshall, the Plainsmen are primed to win their next two games before getting a shot at Alabama at home for the SEC West title.
Last Week: 2
3. Texas A&M (7-2, 3-2 SEC)
Johnny Manziel may not win another Heisman Trophy because his team has two losses, but he’s been the most outstanding player in the country this season.
Johnny Football has scored at least 41 points in each of the Aggies’ nine games. He doesn’t have a realistic shot at the SEC West title, but with games at top-10 opponents LSU and Missouri left he can still relaunch himself into the Heisman race and get the Aggies into a BCS bowl game.
Last Week: 3
4. Missouri (8-1, 4-1 SEC)
My biggest concern about Missouri was how it would rebound following a heartbreaking loss to South Carolina, but an impressive 31-3 victory against Tennessee has the Tigers back in the driver’s seat of the SEC East.
Quarterback James Franklin is on his way back, which means the season finale against Texas A&M could be a shoot-out for the ages.
Last Week: 5
5. South Carolina (7-2, 5-2 SEC)
South Carolina won its second straight game and play the final three games of the season at home.
The Gamecocks have a bye week before their last SEC game of the season against Florida, but even if they win they still need another Missouri loss to win the SEC East.
Last Week: 4
6. LSU (7-2, 3-2 SEC)
LSU doesn’t have a realistic chance at winning the SEC, but revenge should be plenty of motivation to get the Tigers fired up for Saturday’s visit to Alabama.
The LSU offense has looked less explosive the past few weeks, but the Tide brought out the best in an inconsistent Zach Mettenberger last season. An upset of Alabama would cause utter chaos in the SEC, and chaos happens to be Les Miles’ specialty.
Last Week: 6
7. Georgia (5-3, 4-2 SEC)
An ugly victory against Florida kept the Bulldogs’ SEC East title hopes alive. Todd Gurley returned and looked somewhat like his old self, but wasn’t in football shape and quickly ran out of gas.
A trip to Auburn is the only tough game left on the schedule, but Georgia still needs a lot of help to earn a trip to Atlanta.
Last Week: 7
8. Ole Miss (5-3, 2-3 SEC)
After a midseason three-game losing streak and a rash of injuries, the upset of LSU righted a sinking ship for the Rebel Black Bears.
Coming off an open date with three bad teams left on the schedule, Ole Miss should win at least eight games and can get to nine if it beats Missouri at home.
Last Week: 7
9. Florida (4-4, 3-3 SEC)
While Tyler Murphy and the Gators offense actually showed signs of life, horrendous penalties and overall dumb football turned The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party into one big sad binge drink for the Florida faithful.
With Florida State and South Carolina left on the schedule, a loss to Vanderbilt this week would have Florida in grave jeopardy of not making a bowl game. The only reason the Gators don’t drop is the teams behind them are even worse.
Last Week: 9
10. Vanderbilt (4-4, 1-4 SEC)
The Commodores move up the rankings coming off their bye week because the two teams above them got embarrassed on Saturday.
Plus with four unranked opponents left, James Franklin’s squad has the best chance of the bottom six teams of making it to a bowl game.
Last Week: 12
11. Tennessee (4-5, 1-4 SEC)
Any progress the Volunteers made went out the window when quarterback Justin Worley got hurt. Tennessee turned the ball over three times behind freshman replacement Joshua Dobbs in a 31-3 beating at Missouri.
Last Week: 10
12. Mississippi State (4-4, 1-3 SEC)
Coach Dan Mullen’s seat got a little warmer as his Bulldogs made brutal mistakes including a clock mismanagement in a blowout loss to South Carolina. With Texas A&M and Alabama next, it’s unlikely to get better anytime soon.
Last Week: 11
13. Arkansas (3-6, 0-5 SEC)
For the second time in three weeks, Bret Bielema was taught a lesson about talking trash, this time by Gus Malzahn and Auburn. First season or not, I’d consider leaving him at the airport Lane Kiffin style if he opens his mouth again.
Last Week: 13
14. Kentucky (2-6, 0-4 SEC)
Kentucky and Arkansas should play to settle which is the worst once and for all. Play the game in place of the Tuesday night Sun Belt game — no one will notice the difference.