| LSU DE Sam Montgomery, celebrating a sack, helped the Tigers move up to No. 3 in our SEC power ranking. (US Presswire) |
Here's CBSSports.com Rapid Reports SEC power ranking:
1. Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC): The Tide have won 10 straight dating to last season, all by at least 19 points. Mizzou’s Gary Pinkel called Alabama “maybe the best team I have ever seen.” QB AJ McCarron bruised his knee in Saturday’s 42-10 win over the Tigers, but Nick Saban said McCarron “will be fine in a day or two.” Last week's power ranking: 1. Next up: at Tennessee, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).
2. Florida (6-0, 5-0 SEC): The Gators not only are No. 2 in our power ranking, they’re No. 2 in the initial BCS standings. Their season hinges on the next two weeks when they play South Carolina and Georgia. QB Jeff Driskel gave those SEC East rivals a lot to worry about by running for 177 yards and three TDs Saturday. Last week's power ranking: 2. Next up: South Carolina, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS).
3. LSU (6-1, 2-1 SEC): LSU bounced back from its loss to Florida behind 6-2, 225-pound freshman Jeremy Hill, who gashed South Carolina for 124 yards rushing and two TDs. Now DE Sam Montgomery (2 sacks vs. Gamecocks) and Co. get to chase Johnny Manziel all over Kyle Field. Last week's power ranking: 4. Next up: at Texas A&M, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN).
4. South Carolina (6-1, 4-1 SEC): RB Marcus Lattimore (35 yards on 13 carries vs. LSU) and QB Connor Shaw (2 INTs) face another brutally tough defense in Gainesville. The Gamecocks are 1-1 on a five-game stretch that concludes against Florida, Tennessee and Arkansas. Last week's power ranking: 3. Next up: at Florida, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS).
5. Georgia (5-1, 3-1 SEC): Georgia got a big boost from South Carolina’s loss at LSU. Now Georgia can reach the SEC championship game by winning out and having the Gamecocks lose one of their three remaining conference games. Last week's power ranking: 5. Next up: at Kentucky, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. ET (FSN).
6. State" data-canon="Ole Miss Rebels" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0"> (6-0, 3-0 SEC): Assuming it avoids a letdown against Middle Tennessee, Mississippi State will be 7-0 heading into an Oct. 27 showdown with top-ranked Alabama. The Bulldogs rolled up 450 yards and committed just one penalty in beating Tennessee. Last week's power ranking: 6. Next up: Middle Tennessee, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2).
7. Texas A&M (5-1, 2-1 SEC): QB Johnny Manziel leads the SEC and ranks second nationally with 392.7 yards of total offense per game. If he puts up similar numbers against LSU, the Aggies will be taken more seriously. Last week's power ranking: 7. Next up: LSU, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN).
8. Arkansas (3-4, 2-2 SEC): QB Tyler Wilson is heating up -- he threw five TD passes Saturday against Kentucky -- and the Razorbacks have outscored their last two opponents 73-14. They could be on a four-game roll when they visit South Carolina on Nov. 10. Last week's power ranking: 9. Next up: Ole Miss, Oct. 27 (TBA).
9. Tennessee (3-3, 0-3 SEC): The Vols have mastered the art of coming up just short against good teams. Under Derek Dooley, Tennessee is 0-13 against ranked opponents with another opportunity Saturday. Last week's power ranking: 8. Next up: Alabama, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).
10. Ole Miss (4-3, 1-2 SEC): The Rebels get a week off to celebrate their first SEC win in 17 tries. RB Jeff Scott averages 6.1 yards per carry after ripping Auburn for 137 yards rushing and catching three balls for 70 yards and a TD. Last week's power ranking: 10. Next up: at Arkansas, Oct. 27 (TBA).
11. Vanderbilt (2-4, 1-3 SEC): The Commodores have dropped 13 of their 14 games to Auburn, but won the most recent meeting, 14-13 in 2008. A loss would cripple Vandy’s chance of making consecutive bowl games. Last week's power ranking: 11. Next up: Auburn, Saturday, 12:21 p.m ET (SEC Network).
12. Missouri (3-4, 0-4 SEC): The beat-up Tigers desperately need an off week after being pounded 42-10 by Alabama. QB James Franklin (sprained knee) said he plans to return for the Kentucky game. Last week's power ranking: 12. Next up: Kentucky, Oct. 27 (TBA).
13. Auburn (1-6, 0-5 SEC): Auburn gave up 200 rushing yards in losing to the Rebels, cementing its reputation as the SEC’s worst-tackling team. Auburn is 9-10 since winning the national championship. Last week's power ranking: 13. Next up: at Vanderbilt, Saturday, 12:21 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
14. Kentucky (1-6, 0-4 SEC): The Wildcats were outgained 444-88 in total yards in the first half against Arkansas. Now they face a more balanced Georgia offense that comes in angry and rested. Last week's power ranking: 14. Next up: Georgia, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (FSN).
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.