College football conference power rankings: Week 11

College Football Conference Power Rankings: Week 11

Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (54) during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 10-0. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban celebrates as he leaves the field following a win against the LSU Tigers in a game at Tiger Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 10-0. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

2. SEC

With the pair of upsets on Saturday, the SEC is likely down to one playoff contender barring some major chaos, and falls behind the Big Ten for the first time in several weeks.

Of course, it’s hard to ever get too down on the SEC with Alabama carrying the conference at the top. The Crimson Tide completely neutralized LSU running back Leonard Fournette and got just enough from freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts in a very hostile environment to pull off the 10-0 win. No. 8 Auburn, which didn’t exactly dominate Vanderbilt in a 23-16 win, now looks like the only team capable of denying the Crimson Tide a perfect regular season.

Texas A&M couldn’t take advantage of its favorable committee ranking with a 35-28 loss to Mississippi State, which had just one conference win coming in. The ultra-talented Aggies defensive line, which carried the team earlier in the season, surrendered 365 rushing yards to the Bulldogs.

Even with the Texas A&M loss, the SEC West is still the best top-to-bottom division in football. Arkansas, which is in fifth place in the West, crushed East favorite Florida 31-10 to knock the Gators down 12 spots in the AP Poll to No. 22.

The rest of the East didn’t fare much better, as Kentucky couldn’t take advantage of the opportunity with a heartbreaking loss to Georgia. Tennessee even had a rough week off the field with a heated players-only meeting that eventually resulted in Jalen Hurd deciding to transfer. As Florida’s offense can’t do much of anything right now, the SEC East is anyone’s game, and there’s a possible scenario where six teams can tie for the top spot.

While the SEC features a little more depth than the previous three conferences, its strength at the top can no longer match the Big Ten.

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