SEC Power Rankings: LSU – Alabama set up for another instant classic

Oct 31, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) and teammates celebrate after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 27-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Florida Gators dominated Georgia, and essentially wrapped up the SEC East in the process. Can the Gators jump LSU and Alabama in the SEC Power Rankings?

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With LSU and Alabama out of action in preparation for next week’s huge showdown in Tuscaloosa, and with Mississippi State and Missouri also off and Arkansas hosting a FCS opponent,  it was a relatively low-key week in the SEC.

There were no meetings between teams ranked in the Top 25, and only Ole Miss’ road trip to Auburn and the Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville had SEC Championship implications.

Of course, there was still plenty of important action as teams jockeyed for position in their respective division standings, battled for bowl eligibility, and played for bragging rights in rivalry games.

In the Game of the Week, Georgia had a chance to take the driver’s seat in the division, but Florida overcame some early sloppiness on offense and dominated the Bulldogs to take a commanding two-game lead in the standings.

A victory next week against Vanderbilt would secure a spot in the SEC Championship in Year 1 of the Jim McElwain, meaning it’s simply a formality at this point. 

Elsewhere, the Rebels survived with a 27-19 victory and still control their destiny in the SEC West. Around the division, Texas A&M beat South Carolina 35-28 with new quarterback Kyler Murray leading the way.

The victory gave the Aggies their sixth win of the season, which secured them a bowl bid. It also increased the SEC West’s record to 9-1 against their Eastern Division counterparts.

In the East, Vanderbilt was embarrassed on the road against Houston and Tennessee blew out Kentucky. 

Now 7-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play, Florida is clearly the best team in the Eastern Division, but can they make a move for the top spot in our SEC Power Rankings heading into Week 10? Let’s take a look.

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