SEC Power Ranking: Gators continue to climb

There weren't too many changes this week in the SEC Power Ranking, but Florida continues to climb after an impressive 37-20 win over Tennessee.

By Daniel Lewis

Sep 17, 2012 at 10:13 am ET • 4 min read

Florida coach Will Muschamp keeps winning, and the Gators keep moving up in our power ranking. (AP Images)

Here's CBSSports.com Rapid Reports SEC power ranking:

1. Alabama (3-0, 1-0 SEC): What was supposed to be an early season test turned into a joke at Arkansas. Alabama pounded the Razorbacks, who were without QB Tyler Wilson (concussion), by a final of 52-0. Last week's power ranking: 1. Next up: Florida Atlantic, Saturday, 5 p.m. ET (pay per view).

2. LSU (3-0): The Tigers cruised to a 63-14 win over Idaho on Saturday. We might not get a true sense for how good this team is until it travels to Florida on Oct. 6. Last week's power ranking: 2. Next up: at Auburn, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)

3. Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC): Aaron Murray threw for 342 yards and accounted for four touchdowns in an easy 56-20 win over Florida Atlantic. The East is shaping up into a three-team race between the Bulldogs, Gamecocks and Gators. Last week's power ranking: 3. Next up: Vanderbilt, Saturday, 7:45 p.m. ET (ESPN2).

4. Florida (3-0, 2-0 SEC): The Gators aren't always perfect, but they just win. QB Jeff Driskel showed why he is the starter on Saturday with exactly 300 all-purpose yards and two touchdown passes in an impressive 37-20 win over Tennessee. Last week's power ranking: 5. Next up: Kentucky, Saturday, 12:21 p.m. ET (SEC Network).

5. South Carolina (3-0, 1-0 SEC): The Gamecocks had no problem dismissing UAB by a final of 49-6, but health concerns continue to grow. QB Connor Shaw (shoulder) and WR Bruce Ellington (shoulder) will both be questionable going forward. Last week's power ranking: 4. Next up: Missouri, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS).

6. Mississippi State (3-0, 1-0 SEC): The Bulldogs survived a scare at Troy thanks in large part to WR Chad Bumphis' three touchdown receptions. It was a win, but a 30-24 performance against a Sun Belt team doesn't inspire a ton of confidence. Last week's power ranking: 7. Next up: South Alabama, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN3.com).

7. Tennessee (2-1, 0-1 SEC): The stage was set for the Vols to get their first big win of the Derek Dooley era against Florida. They didn't capitalize. The Vols had the lead in the middle of the third quarter, but two plays of over 70 yards from the Gators ultimately led to a 37-20 Florida win. Last week's power ranking: 6. Next up: Akron, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (CSS).

8. Missouri (2-1, 0-1 SEC): The Tigers had a gutty 24-20 out-of-conference win over Arizona State on Saturday. Playing without starting QB James Franklin (elbow), backup QB Corbin Berkstresser helped the Tigers hold off the Sun Devils, a team they lost to in 2011. Last week's power ranking: 8. Next up: at South Carolina, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS).

9. Texas A&M (1-1, 0-1 SEC): QB Johnny Manziel accounted for six touchdowns in an easy 48-3 win over SMU. They have one more cupcake game before the thick of the SEC schedule really sets in. Last week's power ranking: 9. Next up: South Carolina State, Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET (FSN).

10. Arkansas (1-2, 0-1 SEC): There aren't any positives to discuss after a 52-0 loss to Alabama. Injured QB Tyler Wilson accused the team of quitting, and the Razorbacks were outplayed in every aspect of the game. They still have the talent to get some wins this year, but they must regroup quickly. Last week's power ranking: 10. Next up: vs. Rutgers, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU).

11. Auburn (1-2, 0-1 SEC): The Tigers got a much-needed 31-28 overtime win over Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday. That still doesn't hide the fact that the Tigers are struggling on both sides of the ball. It could get ugly quickly against LSU this week if Auburn doesn't find some answers. Last week's power ranking: 11. Next up: LSU, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).

12. Ole Miss (2-1): The Rebels got hammered 66-31 by Texas on Saturday. Their defense is atrocious, but at least they're moving the ball. RB Jeff Scott (8 carries, 95 yards) and WR Donte Moncrief (7 receptions, 144 yards, TD) were bright spots on offense. Last week's power ranking: 12. Next up: at Tulane, Saturday, noon ET (FSN).

13. Vanderbilt (1-2, 0-1 SEC): The Commodores got in the win column by blowing out Presbyterian, an FCS team, by a final of 58-0. Vanderbilt started QB Austyn Carta-Samuels over Jordan Rodgers. It will be interesting to see who plays against Georgia. Last week's power ranking: 14. Next up: at Georgia, 7:45 p.m. ET (ESPN2).

14. Kentucky (1-2): Losing to a Sun Belt team automatically gets you dropped in our power ranking. Just ask Arkansas about that experience last week. The Wildcats' 32-31 overtime loss to Western Kentucky was not what coach Joker Phillips needed heading into SEC play. Last week's power ranking: 13. Next up: at Florida, Saturday, 12:21 p.m. ET (SEC Network).

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.