SEC Football Power Poll: Week 9
In this week’s installment, The Daily Mississippian’s sports editor David Collier ranks the 14 Southeastern Conference teams. Opponents, game times and television networks are also included for each team.
1. Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC, 1st last week)
The Crimson Tide didn't fall into the trap as it handled Mississippi State 38-7. Now, Alabama will get its first real test of the season when it heads into Death Valley Saturday.
This week: at LSU (7-1, 3-1 SEC), 7 p.m., CBS
2. LSU (7-1, 3-1 SEC, 3rd last week)
The Tigers had a week off, and it couldn't have come at a better time. LSU will be fresh and ready to go in hopes of pulling off the upset Saturday in part three of this mega defensive battle.
This week: Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC), 7 p.m., CBS
3. Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC, 5th last week)
After falling to South Carolina earlier this season, the Bulldogs came out totally different last Saturday, claiming a 17-9 win over Florida to put themselves in the driver's seat in the East.
This week: Ole Miss (5-3, 2-2 SEC), 2:30 p.m., CBS
4. Florida (7-1, 6-1 SEC, 2nd last week)
The Gators showed their first sign of weakness against Georgia in last weekend's 17-9 loss. Now, Florida will be looking for some help to get to Atlanta for a shot at the SEC Championship.
This week: Missouri (4-4, 1-4 SEC), 11 a.m., ESPN2
5. South Carolina (7-2, 5-2 SEC, 4th last week)
The Gamecocks got back in the win column this week with a 38-35 win over Tennessee. South Carolina also suffered a huge loss in running back Marcus Lattimore for the rest of the season.
This week: OPEN
6. Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2 SEC, 7th last week)
The Aggie offense was in full swing this past weekend in its 63-21 win at Auburn. Now, Kevin Sumlin's squad will have a big test when it heads to Starkville for a top-20 showdown.
This week: at Mississippi State (7-1, 3-1 SEC), 11 a.m., ESPN
7. Mississippi State (7-1, 3-1 SEC, 6th last week)
The Bulldogs hyped up their contest with No. 1 Alabama, but Mississippi State laid an egg on its way to a 38-7 loss. They will have to get it going again if they are to beat the Aggies.
This week: Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2 SEC), 11 a.m., ESPN
8. Ole Miss (5-3, 2-2 SEC, 8th last week)
The Rebels continue to gain confidence, as they posted a 30-27 win over Arkansas in Little Rock. Hugh Freeze and his team look to keep that momentum going into a tough test against Georgia.
This week: at Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC), 2:30 p.m., CBS
9. Arkansas (3-5, 2-3 SEC, 9th last week)
The Razorbacks are still scrambling trying to find more wins after suffering a last-second 30-27 loss to Ole Miss over the weekend. Things don't get any easier for the Hogs this weekend.
This week: Tulsa (7-1), 11:21 a.m., SEC Network
10. Vanderbilt (4-4, 3-3 SEC, 10th last week)
The Commodores continued their momentum with a 49-7 blowout of Massachusetts this past weekend and have an opportunity to keep that confidence going into a road contest at Kentucky.
This week: at Kentucky (1-8, 0-6 SEC), 11 a.m., ESPNU
11. Tennessee (3-5, 0-5 SEC, 11th last week)
The Volunteers played yet another close game and yet again came out on the losing end of things, dropping a contest 38-35 to South Carolina, but getting bowl eligible is still very much in play.
This week: Troy (4-4), 11 a.m., FSN
12. Missouri (4-4, 1-4 SEC, 12th last week)
After a rough start in the SEC, the Tigers finally got the first win in their new conference, defeating Kentucky 33-10 last Saturday. Things don't get easier for Missouri, which travels to Florida.
This week: at Florida (7-1, 6-1 SEC), 11 a.m., ESPN2
13. Auburn (1-7, 0-6 SEC, 13th last week)
The Tigers got a beating from Texas A&M, 63-21, this past Saturday, but the good news is that a struggling New Mexico State team awaits them this week for a battle between two 1-7 squads.
This week: New Mexico State (1-7), 11:30 a.m., CSS
14. Kentucky (1-8, 0-6 SEC, 14th last week)
The Wildcats got handed a 33-10 win at Missouri this past weekend, but if they play hard the way they have all year, they might have a shot at pulling the upset over Vanderbilt Saturday.
This week: Vanderbilt (4-4, 3-3 SEC), 11 a.m., ESPNU
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss football, follow @thedm_sports and @DavidLCollier on Twitter.
