SEC Football: Power Ranking the Conference Teams Heading Into Week 4
The SEC proved once again why they are the best conference in college football with a slew of exciting games. The power rankings for this week reflect all the teams in the SEC and how they have played up to this point.
Week 4 provides plenty of great games within the conference, so the power rankings could change drastically when the week is over.
Here are the current power rankings of all the teams in the SEC heading into Week 4.
#12 Ole Miss Rebels
1 of 12
Ole Miss had such high hopes coming into this year.
Houston Nutt has a knack for getting his players to play above their talent, but so far this year they have played well below their ability. Jeremiah Masoli is getting better as the season progresses but this team does not look like they will be able to shake off the overtime loss in Week 1 to Jacksonville State.
They would need an upset of a top-ranked SEC team to remove them from the basement of the power rankings.
#11 Vanderbilt Commodores
2 of 12
Vanderbilt had a very big road win over Ole Miss that is good enough to keep them out of last place in the rankings. Quarterback Larry Smith is one of the team’s limited bright spots because of how he can manage the game, but overall it looks like it will be a long year for the Commodores.
#10 Mississippi State Bulldogs
3 of 12
Mississippi State is another team that deserves a pass in the power rankings.They are rated on the low side but have run into some stiff competition thus far.
They gave Auburn a challenge at home but were no match for LSU in Baton Rouge. The defense is feisty and they have a dual threat at quarterback in Chris Relf and Tyler Russell that will keep them competitive throughout the year.
A win over Georgia this week would go a long way to moving them up the rankings.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
#9 Tennessee Volunteers
4 of 12
The Volunteers are just 1-2 on the season, but they have to be given a little bit of leniency considering they lost to two teams ranked in the top 10.
Matt Simms has looked decent at quarterback, and this team seems to be growing in the right direction after the Lane Kiffin debacle. The fans are appreciative of the effort the team puts forth even in a loss.
It doesn’t get any easier down the road as far as the schedule is concerned: After a game against UAB this weekend, they travel to play No. 15 LSU in Baton Rouge.
#8 Georgia Bulldogs
5 of 12
This team may deserve a bit of a higher ranking considering they have already played South Carolina and Arkansas.
For a redshirt freshman, quarterback Aaron Murray looks like a great college football player in the making. He is mature for his age and looked calm in some pretty big games early in the season.
Head coach Mark Richt needs to make sure his team does not let down in upcoming road games against Mississippi State and Colorado.
#7 Kentucky Wildcats
6 of 12
New head coach Joker Phillips has the Kentucky faithful very excited about the future of this football team.
They are 3-0 to start the season, and the offense seems to be clicking on all cylinders, albeit against subpar competition. Quarterback Mike Hartline is playing better than expected and has yet to throw an interception.
Does Kentucky have what it takes to catch Florida looking ahead to their big game with Alabama? A win in The Swamp is a bit too much to ask, but I would not be surprised if this game is closer than most people think.
#6 Auburn Tigers
7 of 12
Auburn took a step in the right direction last Saturday with an overtime win over Clemson, coming back from a 17-0 deficit to get the win for the first time since 2002.
Coach Gene Chizik knows that he has a special team and a very special player in quarterback Cameron Newton. Newton is excellent under pressure and is the team’s leading rusher. They don’t have long to regroup as they face South Carolina this weekend.
A win over South Carolina would launch the Tigers near the top of the SEC power rankings.
#5 Florida Gators
8 of 12
The Gators are 3-0 on the season coming off a solid road win over the Tennessee Volunteers.
The defense plays fast and aggressively, keeping this team on the winning path. The offense has sputtered and performed at a very inconsistent level. Right now, the offense lives and dies on the ability of the talented Jeffery Demps. Urban Meyer will have to unleash John Brantley and let him throw more to live up to his potential.
They have a tune up against Kentucky before playing at Alabama and hosting LSU.
#4 Arkansas Razorbacks
9 of 12
Ryan Mallett is a Heisman Trophy frontrunner and he finally beat the stigma of losing games on the road in conference. His last-minute pass to receiver Greg Childs to seal the victory in Georgia was a superstar type of play.
Arkansas fans are clamoring with excitement over this team and believe that a SEC Championship is not out of the realm of possibility. They will find out if this team is for real when they host the No. 1 team in the country this weekend, as Alabama heads to town.
The defense of Arkansas may be the difference for this team, for better or worse.
#3 LSU Tigers
10 of 12
The LSU Tigers are currently the only team in the SEC with two conference wins. Granted, they came against SEC doormats Vanderbilt and Mississippi State, but LSU is still worthy of a high spot in the power rankings.
They have a dominating home-field advantage and perhaps the best special teams player in the SEC in Patrick Peterson. Jordan Jefferson is still an enigma for this team and has not put up spectacular numbers this year, but he hasn’t had to.
It will be interesting to see how the Tigers react when they have to count on him to win a game.
#2 South Carolina Gamecocks
11 of 12
Head coach Steve Spurrier has to be thrilled with the direction his team is heading in.
They are undefeated on the season and ranked No. 12 in the country. Freshman Marcus Lattimore is making a name for himself, as he has already rushed for 333 yards and scored five touchdowns on the season.
The defense will have to prepare for quarterback Cameron Newton this week as the team goes to Auburn for a pivotal SEC matchup.
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide
12 of 12
To be the best, you have to beat the best, and right now, Alabama looks unbeatable.
They are 3-0 and have trounced the opposition by an average of 38 points per game. They are fresh off a whipping of Duke by a score of 62-13.Mark Ingram returned for this game and looked just as good as last year, if not better. He scampered for 151 yards and two touchdowns against the Blue Devils.
With games against Arkansas, Florida, and South Carolina, it only gets harder from here on out, but as of now, the Crimson Tide looks like they are up to the challenge.
Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews, and predictions. Feel Free to contact Matt at mregaw@gmail.com
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
