SEC Power Rankings After Week 12: A&M Survives a Scare, Georgia Is Back, South Carolina Keeps Finding Ways to Lose

There are only two weeks left in the regular season, and the SEC has a real chance at getting six teams into the playoffs. Texas A&M, Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt are all in the hunt.

1. Texas A&M (10-0, 7-0)

This is the first time they have looked beatable since Week 2, when they scraped by Notre Dame. But they scored 28 unanswered points against South Carolina to erase a 30-3 halftime deficit and stay undefeated. They are virtually a lock for the playoffs at this point.

2. Georgia (9-1, 7-1)

Georgia beat Texas 35-10 and made life very difficult for Arch Manning. The defense was stifling, and Gunner Stockton looked like a star. He threw for 229 yards and accounted for all five Georgia touchdowns.

3. Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1)

It took all four quarters, but Ole Miss escaped with a 34-24 win over Florida. Their only loss is to Georgia, which is becoming a team nobody wants to face. With only one game left, even an unlikely loss in the Egg Bowl shouldn’t remove them from the playoff picture.

4. Oklahoma (8-2, 4-2)

In my last rankings, I said the Sooners were entering a stretch of Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and LSU. They have beaten Tennessee and Alabama, and if they win out, they should make the playoffs.

5. Alabama (8-2, 6-1)

Despite falling to Oklahoma at home, Alabama is still one of the best teams in the country. Ty Simpson should get an invite to New York and can strengthen his Heisman case with two more strong games. To win out, they must go through Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium, a place Nick Saban has called “haunted.”

6. Tennessee (7-3, 3-3)

Tennessee was eliminated from playoff contention after losing to Oklahoma, but responded by beating Kentucky and New Mexico State. Joey Aguilar threw for 204 yards but also had two interceptions. He needs to cut down on turnovers before playing at Florida, where Tennessee has not won since 2003.

7. Texas (7-3, 4-2)

Texas suffered a big loss to Georgia and now sits at 7-3. Steve Sarkisian is now 1-7 against top five opponents. With the playoffs out of reach, the focus shifts to Arch Manning’s growth.

8. Vanderbilt (8-2, 4-2)

Vanderbilt was on bye this week, but they sit at 8-2 with a real chance to make the playoffs. Any loss knocks them out, so the matchup with Tennessee on November 29 carries major stakes.

9. Missouri (7-3, 3-3)

Ahmad Hardy had another monster game, rushing for 300 yards and three touchdowns against Mississippi State. With the loss to A&M two weeks ago, they are out of the playoff mix, but 7-3 puts them in good position for a strong bowl.

10. Kentucky (5-5, 2-5)

Kentucky crushed Tennessee Tech and has now won three straight. They are one win away from bowl eligibility, which seemed impossible a few weeks ago. Vanderbilt and Louisville remain on the schedule.

11. LSU (6-4, 3-4)

LSU fired Brian Kelly after losing to Texas A&M, and the season continues to spiral. They scraped by Arkansas 23-22, but had lost four of their previous five. Kentucky’s momentum keeps them ahead for now.

12. Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6)

Blake Shapen continues to make the offense productive, but the defense is one of the worst in the SEC. They were carved up by Ahmad Hardy in a blowout loss to Missouri.

13. Auburn (4-6, 1-6)

Auburn fired Hugh Freeze after an ugly 10-3 loss to Kentucky. Their single conference win is against Arkansas, the only SEC team without a league victory.

14. South Carolina (3-7, 1-7)

Another collapse. It may be time for the Beamer Ball era to end. Coastal Carolina and Clemson remain, but this season is essentially over.

15. Florida (3-7, 2-5)

Florida kept it close for three quarters before Ole Miss pulled away. It has been a disappointing season, but with their biggest rival coming to the Swamp next weekend, a win would help fans forget the rest.

16. Arkansas (2-8, 0-6)

Arkansas’ high-scoring offense tallied just 22 points against LSU, and Taylen Green threw two interceptions. They are 0-6 in SEC play, but most losses have been within one score, so at least they are competing.

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