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College football conference power rankings – Week 6: Big Ten stays strong

By Nathaniel Reeves

PULLMAN, WA - SEPTEMBER 29: The Washington State Cougars celebrate with Jamal Morrow #25 after his touchdown in the second half of the game against the USC Trojans at Martin Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated USC 30-27. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA - SEPTEMBER 29: The Washington State Cougars celebrate with Jamal Morrow #25 after his touchdown in the second half of the game against the USC Trojans at Martin Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated USC 30-27. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 30: A victorious Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) after the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 30, 2017, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Georgia defeated Tennessee 41-0. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 30: A victorious Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) after the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 30, 2017, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Georgia defeated Tennessee 41-0. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. SEC

A pair of teams outside of Tuscaloosa are emerging as potential playoff contenders, helping the SEC jump up a pair of spots to No. 2 heading into week six.

Second-year head coach Kirby Smart continues to impress at Georgia, as the No. 5 Bulldogs wrecked Tennessee 41-0 at Neyland Stadium. Georgia’s front seven has established itself as one of the best units in the country, and true freshman Jake Fromm has been terrific since taking over for the injured Jacob Eason.

No. 12 Auburn also shouldn’t be counted out just because of an 8-point loss at Clemson in early September, as the Tigers put together their best performance of the season in a 49-10 drubbing of Mississippi State. The Tigers’ athletic defense hasn’t allowed more than 14 points in a game this season, and quarterback Jarrett Stidham has made major progress since being dominated by Clemson in week two.

Meanwhile, Alabama has outscored its first two opponents of SEC play by a combined 125-3 margin. Florida is also hanging around at No. 21 despite its severely limited offense, while Texas A&M quietly improved to 4-1 with a victory over South Carolina.

There are admittedly a lot of poor teams in the SEC, including the worst LSU squad in recent memory, but the ACC and Big 12 can’t match the strength of its top trio. All four of the SEC’s ranked teams will be heavily favored next week as part of a light slate, although Alabama and Georgia will both be on the road.

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