MARLER: SEC Power Rankings Week 6
09/30/2024
By Chris Marler
We’ve made it through the month of September, and the power rankings in the SEC have changed more than Auburn and Ole Miss mascots over the years. Here are the Week 6 SEC Power Rankings.
- Alabama
Alabama put up 41 points and 547 yards of offense on what many thought was the best defense in the country. That was the third most total yards a Georgia defense has allowed under Kirby Smart. Jalen Milroe, who I was told by many rival fans was a running back and not a quarterback, put up 491 yards of offense by himself against Kirby Smart and company. Alabama avoided one of the biggest collapses in SEC history in their 41-34 win, and in doing so, claimed the top spot in this week’s rankings.
ABSOLUTE SCENES IN TUSCALOOSA!!!
RYAN WILLIAMS WITH A 75-YARD TD TO RETAKE THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/pvc9ML7E7G
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 29, 2024
2.Tennessee
Don’t let the bye week make you forget that Tennessee is arguably the best team in the country through one month of the season. The scariest part of Tennessee is that we knew the offense would be good. However, the Volunteer defense being this far along is terrifying and this team is still learning to win and getting better and better.
- Texas
The Longhorns looked sluggish in their first SEC game against Mississippi State. They held a 14-6 lead at the half but won by three scores. Arch Manning looked good in what is expected to be his last start in place of an injured Quinn Ewers. The redshirt freshman completed 84 percent of his passes and racked up over 350 total yards and three touchdowns.
Steve Sarkisian on the “luxury” of having Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning:
“We need Quinn back ’cause he’s our quarterback and he’s our leader … but what Arch earned over the last two and a half games is this team can count on him too.” #HookEm pic.twitter.com/djWRyG6VnV
— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) September 29, 2024
- Georgia
The Bulldogs almost pulled off the biggest comeback in SEC history Saturday night after being down 28-0 in the first half against Alabama. The tale of two halves cliche has already been used ad nauseum about their performance in Tuscaloosa. However, the most concerning part of that game was just how bad Georgia looked for 30 minutes. The Dawgs were in a revenge game scenario, considered to be the class of the SEC, and they were coming off a bye. They still looked like that for 30 minutes. Sheesh.
- LSU
A month into the season, you have to really like where LSU is as a team. They have one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and the defense just held South Alabama to 10 points after the Jaguars scored 135 in their two previous games combined. Freshman Caleb Durham is becoming a problem at running back as well.
- Ole Miss
Amazing what happens when you play someone with a pulse. I don’t know what I’m more disappointed in: Lane Kiffin and Jaxson Dart or my dumb ass falling for the charade that Ole Miss was actually turning a corner this year.
Danny said it best but Ole Miss fans didn’t wanna listen when I said they weren’t playing any good teams for 4 weeks. Now they lookin cringey. I already know their gonna come after me tho😂 pic.twitter.com/aw3hOnMaCC
— Kasen (@Racin_Kasen17) September 29, 2024
- Mizzou
Missouri is one of only four unbeatens left in the conference, so putting them at No. 7 may seem a little unfair. But, I need to see more out of Mizzou before they crack the Top 5. Brady Cook’s performance so far this season has been up and down, and I think I, like everyone else, assumed the offense would look more impressive than it has. Through four games, the Tigers have looked disjointed, but luckily they haven’t played anyone yet.
- South Carolina
The team whose season could rise or fall the most over the next month is South Carolina. They enter October at 3-1, but their next three games are against Ole Miss, Alabama and Oklahoma. All three games are against ranked opponents, and those last two are both on the road. However, they are good enough to win at least one of these games. If they somehow win two, watch out.
- Kentucky
Saturday was the first time the Cats beat Ole Miss in Oxford since 1978, and it was their highest-ranked win since 1977 when they beat No. 4 Penn State. The two-quarterback system approach worked well on offense, and the defense stymied what was considered the best offense in the country through the first four weeks.
Mark Stoops was hyped and crowd surfing after Kentucky upset #6 Ole Miss!
“You all played your ass off.”#BBN pic.twitter.com/TlMXPRHx9v
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) September 28, 2024
- Texas A&M
The Aggies beat Arkansas for the twelth time in 13 years and now find themselves a home favorite against undefeated Mizzou. Beating their former Big 12 conference mates in College Station would be a huge win for Mike Elko in year one.
- Arkansas
The Taylen Green experience feels like one of the biggest emotional roller coasters this fanbase has had to endure. That’s saying something for a program that endured the Chad Morris era.
- Oklahoma
The Sooners should have lost in Auburn, but Auburn Jesus apparently had a fall wedding to attend.
OKLAHOMA TAKES THE LEAD WITH THE PICK-SIX 👀 pic.twitter.com/mhRKjcvg4T
— ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2024
- Florida
We got a break from everyone’s favorite SEC soap opera, the Florida Gators. Billy Napier and the boys were on a bye week. They return this week in yet another game that feels like a must win against in-state little brother UCF.
- Vandy
I speak for everyone when I say please don’t let any offensive lineman talk trash about Alabama before Saturday, Vandy. Please.
“Alabama You’re Next”
Watch to see the results of this 🙂 pic.twitter.com/4LK5KZUgDw
— Alabama DieHards (@DiehardsAlabama) June 24, 2022
- Auburn
Auburn is 2-3 and is losing games for the same reasons they’ve been losing them since 2019. New quarterbacks, new coaches, new fun stadium color coordinating, but the same results. Fix it.
- Mississippi State
It’s almost basketball season. Thank God.
