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SEC power rankings, Week 5: Kentucky, South Carolina secure big wins

By Rucker Haringey

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KY – SEPTEMBER 22: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs with the ball while defended by Jordan Jones #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – SEPTEMBER 22: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs with the ball while defended by Jordan Jones #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Nick Fitzgerald and the Bulldogs had a golden opportunity to move into the upper echelon of the SEC by beating Kentucky on Saturday night. Clearly, they failed miserably. That’s why they’ve dropped back into the middle-class this week.

The failure of the Bulldogs offense to run the ball really cost them in Lexington. They looked overmatched at the point of the attack by a really physical Kentucky front seven. The end result was only 56 rushing yards for Joe Moorhead’s offense. This team won’t many games when their run game is that anemic.

Winning big at Vanderbilt isn’t the marquee win Gamecock fans dream about annually, but this was a really solid effort for Will Muschamp’s crew. Suddenly, it looks like South Carolina and Kentucky will battle to be the second best team in the SEC East.

It’s time for Rico Dowdle to start getting a little more attention. He broke the magical 100 yard barrier with a 12 carry, 112 yard day against the Commodores defense. Dowdle isn’t the most dynamic back in the SEC, but he is devastatingly effective.

It may seem odd to call a 45-23 loss a quality performance, but this game could have been much worse for the Aggies. At the very least, Jimbo Fisher’s offense managed to move the ball reasonably well against the nation’s top defensive unit.

Unfortunately, the defense didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. Giving up 415 yards passing to the Tide’s passing attack is a great way to get blown out. The secondary will face easier matchups in the future, but it will need to play much better to help the offense out.

The Wildcats improved their stock more than anyone this week. They absolutely dominated a good Mississippi State team in front of a raucous crowd in Lexington. This is the best Kentucky team we’ve seen in years.

Once again, Benny Snell was the story for Mark Stoops’ team. He pounded out 165 yards on 25 carries against the Bulldogs. Whenever his team needed a big play, he made it. Snell is the heart and soul of the SEC’s most surprising team.

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