SEC power rankings: Georgia outlasts Notre Dame, Arkansas hits rock bottom

SEC power rankings see no change at the top after Week 4 other than the top teams continue to separate themselves from the middle class in the conference.

If Tennessee’s Week 1 loss to Georgia Southern was rock bottom then the Vols are now six feet underground. Much of their 2019 hopes rode on the arm, and legs, of Jarrett Guarantano. Those hopes came to a symbolic end when he was bench midway through their 34-3 blowout loss. Backup Brian Maurer did not ignite an inspiration while completing just four of eleven passes for 44 yards and one interception. It won’t be any better for this downtrodden team. They face No.3 Georgia, Mississippi State, and Alabama after a much needed off week.

Arkansas got a harsh reality check with a home loss against San Jose State. The Spartans dominated the game early, leading 24-7 at the half. Arkansas tried to mount a comeback but could not muster enough momentum. Nick Starkel’s grasp on the starting job no longer seems certain. He completed 28 of his 50 passes for 356 yards and three touchdowns, however, he also threw five interceptions. The Razorbacks defense allowed 402 yards through the air. With a full SEC slate ahead of them, it is about to get really rocky for Arkansas fans. Buckle up and hope for some thrills with this roller coaster ride.

The state of Tennessee has a football problem. Vanderbilt, though, looks to have some fight in them. They looked overwhelmed early in a tough match-up against No.4 LSU. They trailed them 28-7 after the first quarter. Vanderbilt, though, improved over the course of the game. LSU only outscored the Commodores 38-31 after the first quarter. Ke’Shawn Vaughn played his best game of the year against one of the toughest defenses in the conference. His 130 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries is an encouraging sign for a Vanderbilt team with brighter days ahead. They should secure their first win next week when they host Northern Illinois.

The Gamecocks look locked into the bottom tier of the SEC. Ryan Hillinski struggled in his first start against a legitimate defensive unit. He completed just 13 of his 30 passing attempts while throwing for 166 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Their defense got shredded on the ground (196 rushing yards allowed) and through the air (227 passing yards allowed). Missouri is a subtly hot team, so it is not time to sink South Carolina yet, but they are locked into a rebuilding season.

Kentucky fans have been awakened from their dream of repeating last year’s record-breaking run at an SEC East title. They failed to even be competitive while traveling to take on a good Mississippi State Bulldogs team. Sawyer Smith completed just 36 percent of his 41 passing attempts, he threw one interception and no touchdowns. Their defense allowed 235 rushing yards and three touchdowns. We will see exactly who Kentucky is over their next two games. They face South Carolina and Arkansas, two teams that fall into a similar tier at this point in the season.

Ole Miss came up short at home against a tough California Golden Bears team. I have said it multiple times, but the Rebels’ season will go the way that redshirt sophomore and face of the program’s future Matt Corral takes them. This week he completed 22 of his 41 passes for 266 yards, no touchdown and no interceptions. He also ran the ball 16 times for 56 yards and a touchdown. That is a good week for Corral but nothing special. That is exactly where the Rebels find themselves at this point in the season; good but nothing special. They travel to Tuscaloosa next week to test their might against Alabama.

This was always going to be the problem for Texas A&M this season. They played well but lost another game is what is likely the toughest schedule in the SEC this season. Kellen Mond looked great, which is very encouraging. He completed 31-of-49 attempts for 225 yards and two touchdowns. They came back from a slow start to nearly mount a game-winning comeback, which is very encouraging. The way the Aggies are playing is encouraging. This team will breakthrough, but for the time being their schedule is their biggest enemy. Next week they get relief with a match-up against Arkansas before taking on Alabama after an off week.

The Bulldogs bounced back beautifully after a tough loss last week. Garret Shrader stepped in and dominated a Kentucky team that takes pride in their defense. He racked up 180 yards through the air and 125 yards on the ground. Kylin Hill impressed as well, running for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Their defense allowed the Wildcats to sneak into the endzone just once. They face a big test next week when they travel to take on a red hot Auburn Tigers team.

This is the Missouri team I believed could contend for an SEC East title. They look far removed from an embarrassing Week 1 defeat to Wyoming. Kelly Bryant accounted for 307 total yards and two touchdowns while shredding the Gamecocks through the air and on the ground on his way to a 34-14 victory. Their defense allowed just 31 yards on the ground from the Gamecocks who boast five effective running backs.

No Feleipe Franks, no problem for the Gators in Week 4. Kyle Trask stepped into the starter role nicely, completing 71% of his 28 attempts for two touchdowns. Lamical Perine even put together his first impressive performance of the season, rushing for 62 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, Florida’s defense shut down a struggling Tennessee offense, leading to the benching of the Vols starting quarterback. The Gators will have a chance to prove they deserve top tier consideration when they face Auburn in Week 6. Before that, though, they host Towson University, a top-ranked FCS team led by Tom Flacco, the younger brother of the Broncos’ Joe Flacco.

For the second time this season Auburn put together a statement win. In contrast to their win against Oregon, Auburn got out to a quick start against Texas A&M, leading 14-3 at the half. They then held off a late comeback to win 28-20 in College Station. Box Nix had just 138 total yards, but he had one touchdown and no interceptions. He seems to be reigning in his game as the season goes on. It does not get any easier for the Tigers. Their next two opponents are Mississippi State and Florida. They also have LSU, Georgia, and Alabama remaining on the schedule.

Joe Burrow and this LSU team is everything I hoped they would be when I suggested they were legitimate contenders for the SEC West crown. The former Ohio-State buckeye turned LSU leader threw for six, yes six, touchdowns and 398 yards against Vanderbilt. Both Clyde Edwards-Helaire and true freshmen John Emery Jr. found the endzone; the two backs combined for 157 yards on the ground. LSU gets a week off, then faces Utah State before heading into a tough backend of their schedule. They will face Mississippi State, Auburn, and Alabama over a three-game span beginning in late October.

Georgia climbs back into the number two slot in my power rankings with their big win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Bulldogs had trouble moving the ball early on offense, they went into halftime down 10-7. They game out strong in the second half, though, and outscored Notre Dame 16-7 in the second half. Fromm was a game manager, going 20 for 26 with a touchdown and no interception and relied on his defense to win this one. They came away with two interceptions, including a big one from JR Reed late in the game to swing the momentum their way. They got a much deserved week off. Then they get a string of winnable games against Tennessee, South Carolina, and Kentucky.

Alabama is yet to be tested this season. Tua Tagovailoa, though, put in another big bid for his Heisman hopes. He threw five touchdowns for 293 yards while completing 17 of his 21 attempts. Najee Harris balanced Tua’s arm with power and finesse while racking up 110 yards on 14 carries. We will have to wait until Week 7 when they travel to College Station to see Alabama face a worthwhile opponent.