The Georgia Bulldogs survived in a low-scoring 13-12 win at Kentucky to move to 3-0. Now, Georgia has a bye week ahead of a Week 5 clash at Alabama.
The SEC’s top game of Week 3 featured LSU picking up a 36-33 road win at South Carolina. ESPN’s “College GameDay” attended the LSU-South Carolina game. South Carolina held a lead for much of the contest, but was unable to make one play to get the win.
Week 3 was a good week for the top teams in the SEC in nonconference play. Both Alabama and Ole Miss dominated Power Four opponents on the road. Missouri got a ranked win over Boston College. Tennessee earned a huge win over an inferior opponent.
However, bad teams in the SEC picked up some brutal losses. Vanderbilt, who was 2-0, lost to Georgia State. Toledo blew out Mississippi State.
SEC football power rankings after Week 3
1. Texas Longhorns (3-0)
Texas is the new No. 1 in our SEC power rankings after the Longhorns earned a comfortable in their 56-7 home win over UTSA. Quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered an injury, so that is something to monitor.
The Longhorns looked like national championship contenders in their Week 2 win over Michigan.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0)
Alabama and quarterback Jalen Milroe played well on the road in a 42-10 win at Wisconsin in Week 3. The Crimson Tide have a bye in Week 4 before hosting Georgia in a top five battle. The Crimson Tide move up to No. 2 from No. 5 in our SEC power rankings.
3. Georgia Bulldogs (3-0)
Quarterback Carson Beck did not look his best in Georgia’s 13-12 win over Kentucky. The Bulldogs, who have a bye in Week 4, will have a huge game in Week 5 at Alabama in a rematch of the 2023 SEC championship.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava and Tennessee poured it on in a dominant 71-0 win over Kent State. The Volunteers demolished NC State 51-10 two weeks ago and play in a massive game at Oklahoma this weekend.
5. Ole Miss Rebels (3-0)
Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart shredded Wake Forest in 40-6 win. The Rebels have the potential to be the No. 1 team in our power rankings, but Ole Miss has to prove itself even more.
6. Missouri Tigers (3-0)
Missouri topped a physical Boston College team 27-21 in Week 3. Quarterback Brady Cook scored two total touchdowns and star receiver Luther Burden caught six passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in the Mizzou win.
7. Oklahoma Sooners (3-0)
Oklahoma have not looked elite to start this season, especially on offense. The Sooners beat Tulane 34-19. Oklahoma hosts Tennessee in the Sooners’ first ever SEC game on Saturday.
8. LSU Tigers (2-1)
The LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier passed for 285 yards in the Tigers’ resilient 36-33 road win at South Carolina. The Tigers needed to win for their College Football Playoff hopes.
9. Texas A&M Aggies (2-1)
Texas A&M snapped a 10 game road losing streak in SEC play against the Florida Gators. The Aggies’ 33-20 win is a good sign for first year head coach Mike Elko.
10. South Carolina Gamecocks (2-1)
South Carolina wishes it could have the LSU game back. Star running back Raheim Sanders came to play. He ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns on just 19 carries. The Gamecocks turned the ball over three times and had some critical penalties in their 36-33 loss.
11. Arkansas Razorbacks (2-1)
Quarterback Taylen Green was ineffective through the air in the Razorbacks’ 37-27 win over UAB. However, Green added 96 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Arkansas’ defense is looking a little bit weak. The Razorbacks have allowed 33 points per game over their last two.
12. Auburn Tigers (2-1)
Auburn gained a 45-19 win over New Mexico a week after losing at home to Cal. Freshman quarterback Hank Brown looked good for the Tigers. He passed for 235 yards and four touchdowns in his first start.
13. Kentucky Wildcats (1-2)
Kentucky played very well defensively in their 13-12 loss to Georgia in Week 3. The Wildcats were one play away from winning. There are no moral victories in the SEC, but Kentucky looked much better in Week 3 than it did in Week 3.
14. Florida Gators (1-2)
There are already strong whispers to fire head coach Billy Napier, who began the season on the hot seat. Florida
15. Vanderbilt Commodores (2-1)
Vanderbilt suffered a 36-32 loss to Georgia State. The Commodores have wins over Virginia Tech and Alcorn State, but they needed to beat Georgia State to make a bowl game.
16. Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-2)
Mississippi State did not want the smoke. The Bulldogs fell behind 35-3 in an extremely embarrassing 41-17 home loss to Toledo. Yikes!
This article originally appeared on Bulldogs Wire: SEC power rankings after Week 3, Georgia’s close call
