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SEC power rankings, Week 4: It’s all about the Bulldogs, Tigers not so much

By John Buhler

STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 16: Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Braxton Hoyett (95) celebrates after a play during a football game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi on September 16, 2017 (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 16: Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Braxton Hoyett (95) celebrates after a play during a football game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi on September 16, 2017 (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 16: Vanderbilt (14) Kyle Shurmur (QB) celebrates after rushing for the game winning touchdown during a college football game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Kansas State Wildcats on September 16, 2017 at Commodore Stadium in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Jamie Gilliam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 16: Vanderbilt (14) Kyle Shurmur (QB) celebrates after rushing for the game winning touchdown during a college football game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Kansas State Wildcats on September 16, 2017 at Commodore Stadium in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Jamie Gilliam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Kentucky Wildcats (3-0)

Last week: Win at South Carolina, 23-13
Last rank: 13th

We might have to start taking the Kentucky Wildcats seriously as a team that could come out of the SEC East. They are 3-0, but haven’t played great ball just yet under head coach Mark Stoops. Beating South Carolina in Columbia was huge. If the ‘Cats can beat No. 20 Florida at home in a night game, they might start the year 6-0.

Kentucky is a run-first football team that plays real defense. Commonwealth Stadium is an underrated home environment, especially at night late in the season. Stoops has to prove he can beat Georgia and Florida to win the SEC East, but he has certainly rebuilt this program into something respectable, so hats off to him.

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Vanderbilt Commodores (3-0)

Last week: Win vs. No. 18 Kansas State, 14-7
Last rank: 8th

It’s not just Kentucky we have to start taking seriously in the SEC East. Though they are certainly going to lose at home to No. 1 Alabama, the Vanderbilt Commodores play all 60 minutes and are a menace defensively.

In short, we’re getting Stanford Southeast out of Derek Mason’s program. You get beat up when you play that ultra-physical Vanderbilt defense. Quarterback Kyle Shurmur is getting better. Vanderbilt is built to win three to five SEC games, go 8-4 and maybe finish in the top-25. They just beat K-State at home. That win speaks volumes, as Kansas State has arguably the most physical defense in the Big 12.

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