SEC power rankings – Week 5: Georgia looks legit, Vandy gets wake-up call
By John Buhler
![ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 23: Mecole Hardman No. 4 of the Georgia Bulldogs takes the field before the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 23: Mecole Hardman No. 4 of the Georgia Bulldogs takes the field before the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/8bdcb09f286263d3b5e9085e1711a891ba7f566fff581abf31dbd8a42e8cf08f.jpg)
Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-1)
Last week: Loss at No. 11 Georgia, 31-3
Last rank: 3rd
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Well, the Mississippi State Bulldogs didn’t exactly shine in Athens last Saturday. They got dismantled by the No. 11 Georgia Bulldogs in a primetime slot. Mississippi State is good, but just not great this season. Dan Mullen will have his team playing in a meaningful bowl game at season’s end.
The problem is that star quarterback Nick Fitzgerald can’t seem to play up to par in a tough hostile road environment. That was Georgia, a team how grew up idolizing. Mississippi State could end up ranked at the end of the year, or the wheels could fall off and the Bulldogs go 7-5.
Auburn Tigers (3-1)
Last week: Win at Missouri, 51-14
Last rank: 6th
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Perhaps the best team in the SEC that few are talking about would be the Auburn Tigers. They just humiliated the awful Missouri Tigers in Columbia. We know that Auburn plays great defense for defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.
Though their only loss this season was by less than 10 points at Clemson, it remains to be seen if quarterback Jarrett Stidham can shine in Gus Malzahn’s offense in a big spot. War Eagle Nation has a date with No. 24 Mississippi State on Saturday. The winner will look good, while the loser will likely fade away.