Nine weeks into the college football season, Texas A&M sits at the top of the SEC. Nobody saw that coming in August. Alabama continues to grind out wins, though it took until the final minutes this weekend. With a month left to play and twelve playoff spots available, as many as six SEC teams could make a serious push. Let’s see who’s rising and who’s slipping as we hit the stretch run.
1. Texas A&M
The Aggies remain the last undefeated SEC team at 8-0 after a dominant win in Death Valley. Marcel Reed threw interceptions on back-to-back second-quarter drives but came out firing in the third, leading a 21-point surge to take control for good. The defense was just as impressive, holding LSU to 2 of 12 on third downs.
2. Alabama
Alabama had to dig deep against South Carolina, trailing by eight with under three minutes left. Then the Tide flipped the switch, scoring fifteen unanswered points to escape with another win.
3. Georgia
Georgia was idle this week after taking down Ole Miss 43-35 the week before. Gunner Stockton was nearly flawless in that one, completing 26 of 31 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Florida awaits on November 1.
4. Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin finally got a ranked road win, and Ole Miss continues to roll. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 315 yards and rushed for 53 more. The defense gave up plenty of yards but came through with key stops when it mattered most.
5. Tennessee
After a quiet offensive showing against Alabama, the Vols exploded for 56 points against Kentucky. This one was never close, with 35 points in the first half. Joey Aguilar threw for 396 yards, three touchdowns, and no turnovers.
6. Vanderbilt
The defense carried the day while the offense sputtered, but Diego Pavia made plays when it mattered. Missouri outgained the Commodores, yet a clutch fourth-quarter turnover set up Pavia’s game-winning touchdown run. Vanderbilt continues to surprise people who aren’t paying attention.
7. Texas
Texas trailed by 24 at the start of the fourth quarter but pulled off one of the biggest comebacks of the year. A 57-yard punt return touchdown tied the game with two minutes left, and the Longhorns scored first in overtime before forcing a fumble to seal it. They now sit at 6-2, and if they win out, they’re incredibly in the playoff mix.
8. Oklahoma
The Sooners have lost two of their last three and face a brutal closing stretch: Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and LSU. Quarterback John Mateer needs to rediscover his early-season form or this could spiral fast.
9. LSU
Seven games ago LSU was ranked third in the AP Poll. Now, they’re unranked and reeling. Garrett Nussmeier was average against A&M, but the defense was the real issue, giving up huge chunks on the ground. For a unit once considered elite, it was another major letdown. LSU sits at 5-3 and just fired head coach Brian Kelly. The wheels are coming off fast in Baton Rouge.
10. Missouri
Quarterback Beau Pribula suffered a severe ankle injury against Vanderbilt and could miss the rest of the season. Freshman Matt Zollers stepped in and nearly pulled off a miracle, with a last-second Hail Mary landing just short of the goal line. Missouri beat itself with missed field goals, penalties, and failed fourth downs.
11. South Carolina
LaNorris Sellers continues to play well, but the team around him keeps coming up short. The defense collapsed late against Alabama, allowing 15 points in the final three minutes. Up next: Ole Miss and Texas A&M, marking seven ranked opponents in their last eight games.
12. Auburn
Auburn bounced back from a heartbreaking loss to Missouri with a win over Arkansas. Jackson Arnold started but was benched after a pick-six. Ashton Daniels replaced him, going 6 for 8 and leading three scoring drives in the fourth quarter to close it out.
13. Florida
Florida was idle this week after surviving Mississippi State 23-21. A late interception sealed it for the Gators, who now get Georgia in primetime.
14. Mississippi State
Still no conference wins, and this one stung. Mississippi State led Texas 38-14 early in the fourth quarter before giving up 24 straight points and losing 45-38 in overtime. The defense folded when it needed stops, and the offense completely ran out of gas.
15. Arkansas
Arkansas just can’t stop the bleeding. After a 2-0 start, the Razorbacks haven’t won since September 6. The defense gives up 436 yards per game, ranking 123rd out of 136 FBS teams, and the offense isn’t doing much better.
16. Kentucky
When does basketball season start? Kentucky lost 56-34 to Tennessee and coughed up two costly fumbles. The stats were fairly even, but a pick-six in the first quarter and a scoreless stretch through most of the third doomed them.
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