| South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore is rounding into form just in time to face Georgia. (US Presswire) |
Here's CBSSports.com Rapid Reports SEC power ranking:
1. Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC): With three more interceptions against Ole Miss, including top corner Dee Milliner’s second pick this season, the Crimson Tide rank second nationally in turnover margin at plus-12. Last week's power ranking: 1. Next up: at Missouri, Oct. 13 (TBA).
2. LSU (5-0, 1-0 SEC): The Tigers committed five turnovers in winning ugly the past two weeks. They slipped to No. 4 in the national rankings, but the feeling here is they’re about to regain focus. Last week's power ranking: 2. Next up: at Florida, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS).
3. Georgia (5-0, 3-0 SEC): True freshmen Todd Gurley (536 rushing yards, 9 TDs) and Keith Marshall (428 rushing yards, 5 TDs), known as “Gurshall” in tribute to Herschel Walker, have helped Georgia average 48.2 points. That’s eighth nationally and second in the SEC behind Texas A&M. Last week's power ranking: 3. Next up: at South Carolina, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).
4. Florida (4-0, 3-0 SEC): The Gators, who allow 12.8 points per game, could get OLB Jelani Jenkins back for their showdown with LSU. He’ll try to play with a cast on his right hand after doctors removed a pin from his fractured thumb Friday. Last week's power ranking: 4. Next up: LSU, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS).
5. South Carolina (5-0, 3-0 SEC): Marcus Lattimore, who ran for 120 yards and two TDs against Kentucky, is gaining steam just in time to torment Georgia. In two games vs. the Bulldogs, Lattimore has carried 64 times for 358 yards and three TDs. Last week's power ranking: 5. Next up: Georgia, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).
6. Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0 SEC): Mississippi State, 4-0 for the first time since 1999, should be refreshed heading its first SEC road game. The team leads the nation in turnover margin at plus-13. Last week's power ranking: 6. Next up: at Kentucky, Saturday, 12:21 p.m. ET (SEC Network).
7. Texas A&M (3-1, 1-1 SEC): Redshirt freshman QB Johnny Manziel set an SEC record with 557 yards of total offense against Arkansas. For the season, he’s thrown for 10 TDs and rushed for six without throwing an INT. That 3-point home loss to Florida doesn’t look too bad right now. Last week's power ranking: 8. Next up: at Ole Miss, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU).
8. Tennessee (3-2, 0-2 SEC): The Vols showed a lot of grit rallying from a 27-10 deficit at Georgia, but still fell to 0-12 against ranked teams under Derek Dooley. They get a much-needed week off before another tough road game. Last week's power ranking: 7. Next up: at Mississippi State, Oct. 13 (TBA).
9. Missouri (3-2, 0-2 SEC): The Tigers avoided what would have been a devastating loss at Central Florida, thanks in large part to James Franklin’s 80-yard touchdown pass to Dorial Green-Beckham. Last week's power ranking: 9. Next up: Vanderbilt, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (FSN).
10. Auburn (1-3, 0-2 SEC): Auburn had a week off to fix its offense. Playing Arkansas should do the trick. Last week's power ranking: 11. Next up: Arkansas, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
11. Ole Miss (3-2, 0-1 SEC): The Rebels played Alabama tougher than expected. But QB Bo Wallace must cut down on his turnovers (6 INTs, fumble). Last week's power ranking: 12. Next up: Texas A&M, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU).
12. Arkansas (1-4, 0-2 SEC): Giving up 51 unanswered points in College Station could have sent the Razorbacks to 14th in our power ranking. But there’s too much offensive talent for that. Last week's power ranking: 11. Next up: at Auburn, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN2).
13. Vanderbilt (1-3, 0-2 SEC): The off week gave the Commodores a chance for a re-start. Vandy has been in the red zone 15 times and come away with four TDs. Last week's power ranking: 13. Next up: at Missouri, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (FSN).
14. Kentucky (1-4, 0-2 SEC): The Wildcats played a terrific half against South Carolina despite losing starting QB Maxwell Smith to an early ankle injury. Speedy freshman QB Jalen Whitlow showed promise. Last week's power ranking: 14. Next up: Mississippi State, 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.