Last Saturday’s slate of games lived up to the hype. And, in the SEC we saw a full day of awesome finishes and nearly shocking upsets. Somehow Vanderbilt continues to be one of the best stories in all of football.
When the clock hit zero for the final games of the day, we were left with our jaws dropped and some new answers we’ve been waiting on from around the league. A lot of that was thanks to the final 10 minutes in Death Valley between LSU and Ole Miss.
There’s another great week of games this weekend including two conference games featuring four teams ranked in the Top 11 nationally. So, let’s get to it, and tell you our SEC Team Power Rankings heading into Week 8.
- Texas (Last Week: 1)
Texas dominated their arch-rival in Dallas on Saturday, winning 34-3. Quinn Ewers looked a little rusty in his first game action in nearly a calendar month. However, the Longhorns put this game away early. A series that is rarely decided by two or more scores was never in doubt. The defense held Oklahoma to less than five yards per pass and just 2.3 yards per rush. They were great in all three phases of the game, and now look to their biggest hurdle on the schedule, Georgia.
- Georgia (Last Week: 2)
The offense finally got rolling to its former self, as the Bulldogs put up over 600 yards of offense on Mississippi State. Carson Beck had a day, completing 75 percent of his passes for 459 yards and three touchdowns. If there was any concern for the Dawgs, it’s that the defense gave up 31 points and 300 yards passing to a freshman quarterback. They also allowed three second half touchdowns to Mississippi State after allowing only two all season prior to Saturday.
- LSU (Last Week: 5)
This LSU team has been lying in the weeds and ready to pounce ever since their week one loss to Southern Cal. Garrett Nussmeier had his worst performance of the season and still beat former division rival Ole Miss for the eighth straight time in Baton Rouge. The scary part for other teams is that even without All-American linebacker Harold Perkins, the defense has been stout behind Bradyn Swinson and Whit Weeks.
- Vanderbilt (Last Week: 6)
Diego Pavia went to Lexington and did Diego Pavia things. Husky Johnny Manziel completed over 83 percent of his passes, gained almost 200 yards and scored two touchdowns. For the second straight week Vanderbilt never trailed in a game where they were a two-touchdown underdog.
- Alabama (Last Week: 4)
What in the world is wrong with Alabama? They had a 14-point lead late in the first half and were in complete control of the game, and then everything unraveled. For the third straight week, the Tide found themselves in a dog fight due to their own inability to put someone away, not make mental errors and do the little things to win a football game. Now they head to Knoxville in a game that means a lot to the fanbase. Will it mean as much to Kalen Deboer and this team? We’ll find out.
- Ole Miss (Last Week: 3)
Ole Miss lost its second consecutive game Saturday in a heartbreaker to LSU in Death Valley. The Rebs defense folded when it mattered most, and Jaxson Dart and the offense scored just six points in the second half. Ole Miss came into Saturday’s game against LSU leading the country in sacks and quarterback pressures, yet they recorded zero on Saturday while allowing the Tigers to record six sacks themselves.
- Texas A&M (Last Week: 7)
Bye week.
- Tennessee (Last Week: 8)
Tennessee’s offense struggled again on Saturday. This time it was at home against longtime rival Florida. Give the Vols credit for resiliency as they scored all 23 of their points after halftime to win in overtime. Nico Iamaleava had another two turnovers against the Gators, but the defense played lights out, especially when they needed to most.
- Arkansas (Last Week: 9)
Arkansas enjoyed a bye week and hopefully Sam Pittman enjoyed some ol’ cold beer as the Hogs are still celebrating their first home win against a Top team in nearly a quarter of a century.
- Missouri (Last Week: 11)
Missouri scored early and often in their road game at Massachusetts. Hopefully they worked out the kinks offensively and got Brady Cook a little closer to 2023 form. The real challenge starts now as they finally have to play some games in the SEC starting with Auburn this Saturday.
- Florida (Last Week: 12)
Florida lost in overtime at Tennessee, and they also lost their starting quarterback Graham Mertz for the remainder of the season. The ire towards Billy Napier has only grown and fans calling for his job continues to get louder. A win at home this week against Kentucky would do wonders for another week. His job may now depend on how far the right arm of true freshman DJ Lagway can take him.
- South Carolina (Last Week: 14)
South Carolina pushed Alabama to the brink on Saturday, but too many self-inflicted wounds continue to plague the Gamecocks. Defensively they continue to be one of the best units in the SEC, and possibly one of the most overlooked units in the entire country. A win in Oklahoma would be huge for Shane Beamer and company.
- Kentucky (Last Week: 10)
One step forward and two steps back for Kentucky. That seems to be the theme under Mark Stoops as of late. Following a win at Ole Miss and a bye week, the Cats lose at home to Vanderbilt.
- Oklahoma (Last Week: 13)
Missing the Big 12 yet?
- Auburn (Last Week: 15)
No game played and miraculously no player thrown under the bus by head coach Hugh Freeze.
- Mississippi State (Last Week: 16)
An impressive showing in Athens as freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren put up over 300 yards passing, but the defense was just as bad as always.
