SEC power rankings: Georgia on bye, Alabama struggles, Ole Miss beats LSU

Five SEC teams had the week off during Week 8, so there was not much excitement in the league on Saturday.

But there almost was.

I know the score does not show it, but Tennessee put up a great fight against Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night. The Vols were within a touchdown of the Tide until the beginning of the fourth quarter. Alabama ended up winning by four touchdowns.

Ole Miss took down LSU in a game that was never close. The Rebels jumped to a 31-7 lead before LSU fought back.

Georgia and Florida were off this week to prepare for their annual rivalry in Jacksonville on Oct. 30.

Here are our updated SEC power rankings after Week 8.

14. Vanderbilt (2-6, 0-4)

Vanderbilt running back Rocko Griffin (24) takes a hit from Mississippi State safety Janari Dean (18) during the third quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Syndication: The Tennessean

Vandy just lost to Mississippi State 45-6.

13. Missouri (3-4, 0-3)

Oct. 16, 2021; Columbia; Missouri Tigers defensive back Jaylon Carlies (1) intercepts a pass intended for Texas A&M Aggies running back Devon Achane (6) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Mizzou was off this week, but this team is just plain bad.

12. South Carolina (4-4, 1-4)

Oct. 23, 2021; College Station, Texas; South Carolina Gamecocks running back ZaQuandre White (11) is tackled by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Deuce Harmon (11) during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Yikes. The Gamecocks lost 44-16 to Texas A&M on Saturday.

11. Mississippi State (4-3, 2-2)

Mississippi State wide receiver Christian Ford (24) receives a pass past Vanderbilt cornerback Jaylen Mahoney (23) during the third quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Syndication: The Tennessean

The Bulldogs destroyed Vanderbilt, but I’m not impressed.

10. LSU (4-4, 2-3)

Oct. 23, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi; LSU Tigers running back Corey Kiner (21) carries the ball during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Another loss for Ed Orgeron and LSU — this time to Ole Miss.

9. Tennessee (4-4, 2-3)

Tennessee defensive back Kenneth George Jr. (5) shows his disbelief after officials ruled an Alabama touchdown stands during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel

That’s back-to-back losses for Tennessee, but at least it fought hard in both of them. The Vols played Alabama very well on Saturday.

8. Florida (4-3, 2-3)

Gators QB Anthony Richardson (15) changes the play against LSU. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Florida was off this week but the Gators have not been impressive to this point. Let’s see what they can do against Georgia on Saturday.

Teams that pose biggest threat to Georgia's national title hopes

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7. Arkansas (5-3, 1-3)

Oct. 16, 2021; Fayetteville; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Dominique Johnson (20) rushes for a touchdown as Auburn Tigers linebacker Chandler Wooten (31) defends during the second half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Auburn won 38-23. Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Razorbacks destroyed Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday. Those three losses in a row (Georgia, Ole Miss and Auburn) derailed what was looking like a great season for Sam Pittman and Arkansas.

6. Auburn (5-2, 2-1)

Oct. 9, 2021; Auburn, Alabama; Auburn Tigers running back Shaun Shivers (8) carries against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter Jordan-Hare Stadium. John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn had the week off after beating Arkansas in Week 7. A tough game against Ole Miss this weekend could cause some movement in next week’s power rankings.

5. Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2)

Oct. 23, 2021; College Station, Texas; Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Tyreek Chappell (7) is congratulated by teammates on his touchback in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

The Aggies blew out South Carolina on Saturday. That win against Alabama should keep them in the upper half of these rankings all season.

4. Kentucky (6-1, 4-1)

Oct. 16, 2021; Athens, Georgia; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis (7) passes against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Say what you will about the Wildcats, but aside from Clemson, Kentucky played Georgia closer than anyone this season.

3. Ole Miss (6-1, 3-1)

Oct. 23, 2021; Oxford; Mississippi Rebels running back Jerrion Ealy (left) and Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Dontario Drummond (right) celebrate after a Ealy touchdown during the second half against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

The Rebels are rolling after another win, this time over LSU. One loss to the Tide is all Ole Miss has to be upset about this year.

2. Alabama (7-1, 4-1)

Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. (4) escapes a tackle by Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden (13)during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Alabama did not look great on Saturday, but the Tide still won by 28 points against Tennessee.

1. Georgia (7-0, 5-0)

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates after a defensive stop during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. AP Photo/Butch Dill

No question. Georgia’s No. 1.

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