SEC Football Power Rankings: Bulldogs Stumble, Crimson Tide Soar

Nov 12, 2024 at 4:39 PM
The latest SEC Power Rankings from On3, utilizing the On3 Massey Ratings, are in after Week 11 of the college football regular season. The On3 Massey Ratings, which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated high school sports team rankings since 1995, rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

Elevating the SEC's Elite

Georgia Bulldogs: Weathering the Storm

Despite a surprising loss to Ole Miss, the Georgia Bulldogs remain firmly entrenched at No. 3 in the national Massey Ratings. While the defeat was a humbling experience for the defending champions, the metrics still favor the Bulldogs' overall body of work and their College Football Playoff aspirations. Georgia's resilience will be tested as they look to bounce back and secure their spot in the postseason.

Alabama Crimson Tide: Dominant on the Ground

The Alabama Crimson Tide have surged past Texas in the Massey Ratings following a dominant road victory over LSU. Quarterback Jalen Milroe led the charge, setting the Alabama record for most touchdown runs by a quarterback in a season with four. Milroe's impressive 16 rushing touchdowns on the year have been a significant factor in the Tide's success. As Alabama continues to assert its dominance, their sights are set on a potential playoff berth.

Texas Longhorns: Playoff Positioning Remains Promising

Despite a slip in the SEC Power Rankings, the Texas Longhorns still find themselves in a favorable position for a playoff spot. Their victory over Florida, while not as impressive as hoped, keeps them in the driver's seat in the SEC. The Longhorns must now turn their attention to a crucial road matchup against Arkansas, followed by the highly anticipated season finale against Texas A&M. Steve Sarkisian's squad has the opportunity to solidify their postseason aspirations in the coming weeks.

Tennessee Volunteers: Quietly Climbing the Ranks

The Tennessee Volunteers have quietly positioned themselves as one of the top contenders in the SEC, with only one conference loss. Josh Heupel's squad has been on a roll, and their success has not gone unnoticed. However, the Volunteers faced a scare this past weekend, as quarterback Nico Iamaleava suffered an upper body injury. Heupel remains optimistic about Iamaleava's return, and the Volunteers will look to continue their impressive campaign.

Ole Miss Rebels: Delivering a Statement Win

The Ole Miss Rebels delivered one of the most impressive wins of the weekend, handing the Georgia Bulldogs their first loss of the season. The Rebels' defensive line was relentless, battered Carson Beck, and set the tone for a dominant performance. While an injury to quarterback Jaxson Dart was a concern, the Rebels showed their resilience by having him return to the game. The Rebels' victory has solidified their position in the SEC and has them firmly in the national spotlight.

Texas A&M Aggies: Seeking Redemption

The Texas A&M Aggies had a much-needed bye week to recover and regroup after a humbling loss to South Carolina. The 44-20 defeat was a significant setback, and the Aggies will look to bounce back as they face New Mexico State and then hit the road to take on Auburn. With the home finale against Texas still on the horizon, the Aggies have an opportunity to salvage their season and potentially make a late push for a postseason berth.

LSU Tigers: Playoff Hopes Dashed

The LSU Tigers' playoff hopes came to an end with a blowout loss at home against Alabama. The Tigers were never truly competitive in the contest, as they struggled to contain the Crimson Tide's dynamic offense, particularly the running prowess of quarterback Jalen Milroe. Head coach Brian Kelly now faces the challenge of keeping his team motivated and focused, with a playoff berth no longer in the cards.

South Carolina Gamecocks: Defensive Dominance

The South Carolina Gamecocks continued their impressive run with a dominant 28-7 victory over Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks' pass rush, which might be the best in the country, was a significant factor in their success. Quarterback Diego Pavia and the Commodores had no answers for the relentless pressure. South Carolina's performance has earned them a spot in the national rankings, and they will look to build on their momentum in the coming weeks.

Missouri Tigers: Surviving the Chaos

The Missouri Tigers survived a wild and chaotic finish against Oklahoma, ultimately emerging victorious. Wide receiver Theo Wease's incredible catch and a scoop-and-score play were the highlights of a game that saw numerous swings. While the Tigers have only two losses on the season, both have been blowouts, which may have eliminated them from playoff contention. However, the Tigers' resilience and ability to win close games have earned them a spot in the national rankings.

Oklahoma Sooners: Turnovers Prove Costly

The Oklahoma Sooners' struggles continued, as turnovers once again proved to be their downfall against Missouri. Quarterback play has been a concern for the Sooners, and their closing stretch, which includes a matchup against Alabama and a trip to LSU, does not provide any relief. The Sooners will need to use their upcoming bye week to address their issues and try to salvage the remainder of their season.