A wild week 6 of SEC action shook up the power rankings substantially. As we near the midpoint of the college football season, there are many questions at hand. Has Tennessee turned a corner from the last three years? Can Georgia survive (literally)? Is Florida a real threat to win the East? Will Ohio State ever play a real team? Will Baylor or Oregon stop scoring points? How bad will Texas lose to Oklahoma?

However my rankings consist of solely SEC teams and as previously mentioned, there was a lot of shaking up in the rankings after last weeks results. Let’s dive in.

1. Alabama

Last Week: Won 45-3 over Georgia State

This Week: 10/12 at Kentucky

The Tide rolled over Georgia State as expected. AJ McCarron enjoyed a near flawless passing performance in front of the Tuscaloosa faithful. Next up, Nick Saban’s squad ventures North to Lexington, Kentucky to take on the Mark Stoops incarnation of Kentucky football. The Tide should roll and roll some more against the Wildcats.

2. Georgia

Last Week: 34-31 Win over Tennessee

This Week: 10/12 vs. Mizzou

The Bulldogs got all they could handle and then some in their sojourn to Knoxville. They left with season-ending injuries to home-run threats Keith Marshall and Justin Scott-Wesley and an MCL injury to veteran wideout Michael Bennett. Aaron Murray has taken the leap from a quarterback putting up great numbers to a great quarterback. Now the Bulldogs face a test against James Franklin (the player) and a Missouri team that is coming off an emphatic victory over Vanderbilt. For the second straight year, the Bulldogs will be taking on a Missouri team trying to prove it belongs with the big boys of SEC football.

3. LSU

Last Week: 59-26 win over Mississippi State

This Week: 10/12 vs. Florida

The Bayou Bengals were challenged for a half by the SEC’s lesser Bulldogs, but eventually blew past Dan Mullen and his crew. Now Les Miles takes his team home to Baton Rouge in a rematch of last year’s defensive struggle with the Gators. This game is more interesting given the recent play of Florida quarterback Tyler Murphy, who has played the position much better than injured starter Jeff Driskel. Zach Mettenberger faces a stiff test in trying to move LSU’s offense against the best defense in the SEC.

4. Texas A&M

Last Week: Bye

This Week: 10/12 at Ole Miss

JFF and his merry band of playmakers travel to Oxford to take on a suddenly reeling Ole Miss squad coming off its’ first two defeats of the season in consecutive weeks. Look for the Aggies to give up their share of points, but to ultimately come out on top against the Rebel Black Bears.

5. Florida

Last Week: Won 30-10 over Arkansas

This Week: 10/12 at LSU

Don’t look now, but the Gators are still very much alive in the SEC East race. Thanks to the upgrade at the quarterback position with Tyler Murphy, the Gators are enjoying the most stability on offense that they have had since Will Muschamp came to town. Their defense is still nasty even with the loss of Dominique Easley, but they will be tested by a balanced LSU offensive attack. Even if the Gators lose to the Tigers though, all signs point to their date with UGA at “The World’s Largest Cocktail Party” as being the deciding contest in who wins the SEC East.

6. South Carolina

Last Week: Won 35-28 over Kentucky

This Week: 10/12 at Arkansas

For two consecutive weeks, the Gamecocks have struggled mightily to put away lesser opponents. Now once-in-a-generation talent Jadeveon Clowney may have played his last effective snap amidst a string of strange behavior by him and the OBC. Arkansas does have a strong rushing attack, but surely the Gamecocks are game enough to not lose to a team as far beneath them in talent as the Razorbacks.

7. Auburn

Last Week: Won 30-22 over Ole Miss

This Week: 10/12 vs. Western Carolina

Gus Malzahn’s Tigers scored their first statement win by knocking out an Ole Miss team that had previously appeared to be on the rise in the SEC West. While their passing attack is a definite work-in-progress, the Tigers ability to rush the ball has carried them thus far this season. Now they get a nice easy victory over the Catamounts.

8. Missouri

Last Week: 51-28 over Vandy

This Week: 10/12 at UGA

The Tigers may have had the most resounding win in the SEC in week 5 as they thrashed Vanderbilt in Nashville. The Tiger offense appears to be rolling, especially their rushing attack. Now they take the competition level up a notch as they travel to UGA to take on a Bulldog team that has been decimated by injuries and has a less-than-stellar defense. Opportunity appears to be knocking at Mizzou’s door, the question is, do Gary Pinkel and his Tigers answer.

9. Ole Miss

Last Week: Lost 30-22 at Auburn

This Week: 10/12 vs. A&M

Ole Miss failed to beat fellow up-and-comer Auburn. This has to be concerning to Rebel Black Bear fans because of the fact they are in year two of their process as opposed to year one for the War Eagle Tigers. Rest does not come to the weary as now Hugh Freeze welcomes Johnny Football to Oxford in what is sure to be a shootout due to A&M’s defensive struggles.

10. Tennessee 

Last Week: Lost 34-31 to UGA

This Week: Bye

The Vols came within an inch of pulling an upset of epic proportions over No.6 UGA. Regardless of the stats, it is obvious that the Vol defense is miles better than the Sal Sunseri incarnation. Now the Vols’ rise in my power rankings has more to do with the SEC teams below them sucking last week than the Vols etching out a near win. That said, if the Vols offense can play an entire game with the continuity that they showed in the second-half of the UGA game, they should be able to scrape out 6 wins and get bowl eligible. They now get a much needed bye to rest key injured players like Marlin Lane and gameplan for their upcoming home date with USCe.

11. Arkansas

Last Week: Lost 30-10 at Florida

This Week: 10/12 vs. USCe

Arkansas proved who I thought they were last week by getting soundly beaten by Florida. Alex Collins is a stud of a running back, but they just don’t have much else in terms of talent. They do get to host a South Carolina team that appears to be overrun with internal issues at the moment, but will that be enough for the Pigs to take out the Chickens? I’m thinking no.

12. Vanderbilt

Last Week: Lost 51-28 vs. Mizzou

This Week: Bye

The Commodore defense appears to be taking the “Anchor Down” slogan to heart as they refuse to do anything but stand around and watch the other team score. The Commodores get a bye week before hosting a UGA team that hung 50+ points on them last year. How long until coach James Franklin jumps from his sinking ship?

13. Mississippi State

Last Week: Lost 59-26 vs. LSU

This Week: 10/12 vs. Bowling Green

Mississippi State took their beating at the hands of LSU. Now they get to face the Clawfense of a 5-1 Bowling Green team. The Bulldogs should win, but stranger things have happened.

14. Kentucky

Last Week: Lost 35-28 at South Carolina

This Week: 10/12 vs. Alabama

Mark Stoops welcomes the number 1 team in the land into Lexington. The Wildcats showed some guile last week in making South Carolina sweat. Unfortunately, Nick Saban teams don’t make a habit out of letting teams back into games. Expect the Tide to roll on.

Questions? feel free to leave a comment or holler at me on twitter @thomasduggins