After Week 5 games, Alabama is one of six teams that moved up in the SEC Football Power Rankings. Three teams held steady in last week's position. Seven teams dropped in the conference rankings.
As I remind every week, these rankings are unabashedly subjective. With no burden of objectivity, this week is introduced with a bold opinion. The SEC has three teams trending to be elite in November and beyond. They are Georgia, Alabama, and Texas. All other SEC teams are chasing the trio.
Week 5 SEC Football Power Rankings
No. 1 - Georgia Bulldogs (5-0) - Last week, No. 1. In Athens, the Bulldogs beat Vanderbilt 38-14. Gunner Stockton was outstanding. Despite Stockton's strong performance, the Athens Banner-Herald graded the Dawgs' offense a C+ and a C+ to the Bulldogs' defense.
No. 2 - Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0) - Last week, No. 3. The Crimson Tide did Mississippi State some favors and still won by 33 points, 56-23. Kamario Taylor wasn't 100%, and State's star running back Fluff Bothwell was a 'no-go' due to injury. Without those problems, the game might have only been a three-touchdown loss. Alabama's defense was mostly good. The Alabama offense was sensational. Keelon has arrived.
No. 3 - Texas Longhorns (4-0) - Last week, No. 2. The Longhorns had a bye week. Texas is great on defense but less so on offense.
No. 4 - LSU Bengal Tigers (4-1) - Last week No. 5. Lane Kiffin's team played cupcake McNeese State and, of course, trounced the Cowboys, 63-16.
No. 5 - Tennessee Vols (4-1) - Last week, No. 6. Tennessee benched QB Faison Brandon and beat a weak Auburn team 24-14.
No. 6 - Florida Gators (4-1) - Last week, No. 4. Missouri running back Jamal Roberts rushed for 211 yards with a y.p.c. average of 8.8 yds. The game's outcome was determined in the first half, and Missouri continued the domination to win 45-17.
No. 7 - Missouri Tigers (4-1) - Last week, No. 10. The No. 6 and No. 7 rankings could easily be reversed.
No. 8 - Ole Miss (3-1) - Last week, No. 8. The Rebels had a bye week.
No. 9 - Mississippi State (4-1) - Last week, No. 7. The Bulldogs were overrated in national polls.
No. 10 - Oklahoma Sooners (2-2) - Last week, No. 9. Great defensive team, and a 'not-good' offensive team.
No. 11 - Texas A&M Aggies (3-2) - Last week, No. 10. The Aggies did not get well by beating up on the SEC's worst team, in a 34-7 win over Arkansas.
No. 12 - Auburn Tigers (3-2) - Last week, No. 12. The Tigers battled in Knoxville, but Alex Golesh does not have an SEC-quality offense.
No. 13 - Kentucky Wildcats (4-1) - Last week, No. 13. In overtime the Cats got an SEC road win over South Carolina.
No. 14 - Vanderbilt Commodores (3-2) - Last week, No. 15. Vandy's starting QB was out, but the Dores had no chance against the Dawgs had he been available.
No. 15 - South Carolina Gamecocks (2-3) - Last week, No. 14. The Gamecocks may not win again until mid-November.
No. 16 - Arkansas Razorbacks (2-3) - Last week, No. 16. The Hogs are better suited for the Big 12 or the ACC.
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