Week 11 SEC Power Rankings
By Patrick Schmidt
@PatrickASchmidt
Week 11 SEC Power Rankings
The past week in the SEC didn’t feature the same amount of fireworks and upsets as we’ve grown accustomed to in recent weeks, but we were still treated to the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, which didn’t disappoint.
The rivalry game between Georgia and Florida was the game of the week in the conference and lived up to the billing despite each team having down seasons in part because of a number of injuries. Todd Gurley and Michael Bennett returned for the Bulldogs, who outlasted Florida in a physical and hotly-contested game befitting of the rivalry.
Georgia’s win kept them alive in the SEC east race while Florida was eliminated. South Carolina is still chasing Missouri after both teams won their games on Saturday, but this race is far from over and should provide a lot of drama the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, the race in the west could see a shakeup with LSU and Alabama meeting in Tuscaloosa in perhaps the biggest game in the SEC this year despite the Tigers having two losses on the season. LSU is in the unfamiliar role of spoiler as they would love nothing more than to beat Nick Saban and knock the Crimson Tide off from the top spot in the conference and the nation.
Without further ado, here are the SEC power rankings for Week 11. Leave a comment below with who you think should be ranked higher or lower.
Patrick’s a college football writer for Rant Sports and radio host on Sportstownchicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickASchmidt and add him to your Google network.
14. Kentucky
Can Alabama State count as a signature win for Mark Stoops?
13. Arkansas
Arkansas will take their lumps this season, but Bret Bielema will have this team in the top half of the conference within two years.
12. Mississippi State
The season for Mississippi State will be defined in their final two games. Winning against Arkansas and Ole Miss on Thanksgiving night will get the team eligible for a fourth straight bowl.
11. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt was idle last week and has a schedule that they should be able to take advantage of to get to a third straight bowl.
10. Tennessee
Tennessee got a glimpse of their future with Josh Dobbs making his first career start and while he was okay, his offensive line was a big disappointment. Much like Mississippi State, they will have to win their final two games to get bowl eligibility.
9. Florida
Will Muschamp is now 0-3 vs. Georgia as head coach of the Gators and was also 0-4 as a player. He is on the hottest seat in the SEC and still has tough games against South Carolina and Florida State on the schedule. Would he be fired if Florida loses to Vanderbilt and they miss a bowl game?
8. Georgia
Todd Gurley came back and looked like a beast against the top rush defense in the SEC. You have to wonder where Georgia would be had Gurley and so many of his teammates hadn't missed significant time with injuries this season.
7. Ole Miss
The Rebels were idle this week and if they can get past Missouri in three weeks, they will likely close the regular season on a six-game winning streak (although Mississippi State shouldn't be taken lightly). That's the type of momentum Hugh Freeze loves going into bowl season and closing on the recruiting trail.
6. South Carolina
Not much separates the next three teams. Mike Davis is the leading rusher in the conference and Connor Shaw leads a steady and balanced offense. No one was talking about either of these guys in the preseason when Jadeveon Clowney was the toast of the town.
5. Texas A&M
It was another 50-point game for Texas A&M last weekend as the offense is even better than last season's record-setting campaign in College Station. Games vs. LSU and Missouri loom large in the final two weeks after Mississippi State this weekend.
4. Missouri
Missouri got back on track after their double-overtime loss to South Carolina and dominated Tennessee behind Maty Mauk's arm and legs. He ran for more than 100 yards and threw three touchdowns in the first half. Mauk may not start vs. Kentucky this weekend though as they hope to have James Franklin back from injury.
3. LSU
LSU hopes to play the role of spoiler in Tuscaloosa Saturday night against Alabama and ruin their perfect season. LSU has taken six of the last 10 games in the rivalry, but Alabama has taken the last two, so this figures to be a classic.
2. Auburn
Auburn continues to do their part to set up a great Iron Bowl matchup vs. Alabama that could feature an undefeated and a one-loss team in their season finales. The Tigers' running game is as unstoppable as the A&M passing game, and Tre Mason is the most underrated back in the country. He's a stud.
1. Alabama
Alabama is the best team in the conference by a clear mile, but face their toughest test in LSU this weekend (yes, tougher than A&M). Despite sitting as 10.5-11 point favorites, this game could be decided late in the fourth quarter.
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