Week 4 turned the SEC into a full-on collision course, with four ranked-vs.-ranked matchups shaking up the league and forcing some real movement in the power rankings. Texas and Tennessee opened the day in Knoxville, Ole Miss and Florida followed in Gainesville, Georgia handled Oklahoma in Athens, and the night slate delivered more heavyweight action in Baton Rouge and Starkville.
By the time the dust settled, the latest SEC rankings had a very different look in the middle, while the top stayed mostly intact.
Georgia still holds the No. 1 spot after rolling past Oklahoma 41-13 at home. The Bulldogs forced four turnovers, and Chris Cole delivered the play of the day with an 85-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Georgia now gets Vanderbilt at home in another SEC matchup.
Texas stays right behind at No. 2 after escaping Knoxville with a 20-17 win over Tennessee. The Longhorns had to survive a real scare, but their defense did the heavy lifting by holding Tennessee to 221 total yards and piling up 10 sacks as a team.
Colin Simmons accounted for five of those sacks. Texas heads into a bye week next.
LSU jumps to No. 3 after flattening Texas A&M 35-6 in Baton Rouge. The Tigers forced two turnovers and overwhelmed the Aggies from start to finish, finishing with a massive 506-197 edge in total yardage. LSU gets one more nonconference game at home in Week 5 against McNeese.
Florida made one of the loudest statements of the weekend, climbing to No. 5 after a 52-28 home win over Ole Miss. The Gators ran for 302 yards and got 142 rushing yards and three touchdowns from Jadan Baugh. Florida stays in SEC play with a trip to Missouri.
Alabama is right there at No. 4 after a 49-18 home win over South Carolina. Keelon Russell accounted for five total touchdowns, four through the air, as the Crimson Tide built a big first-half cushion and never let go. Alabama now travels to Mississippi State for what shapes up as one of the biggest games in Week 5.
Mississippi State is one of the week’s biggest risers, moving to No. 7 after staying unbeaten with a 31-24 comeback win over Missouri. Kamario Taylor threw three touchdown passes, and the Bulldogs erased a second-half deficit to finish the job in Starkville. Alabama comes to town next.
Ole Miss drops to No. 6 after its first loss of the season, a 52-28 defeat at Florida. Trinidad Chambliss threw three touchdown passes, but the Rebels couldn’t slow Florida’s run game, giving up 302 rushing yards and six rushing scores. Ole Miss heads into a bye.
Tennessee falls to No. 8 after coming up just short against Texas. The Volunteers had a real chance late, but a final heave toward the end zone fell incomplete. Tennessee now stays home for a Week 5 SEC game against Auburn.
Oklahoma slides to No. 12 after a rough 41-13 loss at Georgia. The Sooners turned it over four times, including three giveaways from John Mateer, and now get a bye week.
Texas A&M tumbles to No. 11 after being hammered 35-6 by LSU. The Aggies were outgained 506-197 and struggled badly in Baton Rouge. Arkansas visits next.
Kentucky moves up to No. 10 after beating South Alabama 45-21 at home. The Wildcats piled up 390 rushing yards, with CJ Baxter, Jason Patterson, and Jovantae Barnes each topping 100 on the ground. Kentucky now heads to South Carolina.
Missouri falls to No. 9 after its first loss, a 31-24 defeat at Mississippi State. Austin Simmons threw three touchdown passes, but the Tigers were blanked in the fourth quarter after losing control of a second-half lead. Florida comes to Columbia in Week 5.
Auburn climbs to No. 13 after a 21-15 home win over Vanderbilt. The Tigers built enough of a first-half edge to survive, even after being shut out in the second half. Auburn’s first true road game comes next at Tennessee.
Vanderbilt drops to No. 14 after losing its first game, 21-15 at Auburn. Brock Taylor hit three field goals, but the Commodores couldn’t dig out of a 14-3 halftime hole. Georgia is up next.
South Carolina remains near the bottom at No. 15 after a 49-18 loss at Alabama. The Gamecocks still put up 419 total yards, but the game got away early and never came back. Kentucky visits next.
Arkansas stays at No. 16 after snapping a two-game skid with a 34-6 nonconference win over Tulsa. KJ Jackson threw three touchdowns, including two on the ground, as the Razorbacks nearly doubled Tulsa in total yards. Texas A&M awaits in Week 5.
In Other News...
Alabama Game Day Is Becoming A Celebrity Stage For Tide Culture
Alabamas game-day scene has become more than just a football backdrop, with recent home dates drawing a mix of former Crimson Tide stars and outside names who have ties to the programs culture. Mark Ingram and Brandon Miller were among the familiar faces in attendance, adding to the feeling that Alabama Saturdays have turned into a reunion as much as a sporting event.
Scott Stapps presence fit that atmosphere, too, given his longtime support of Alabama and his family connection to the program. Kid Rock also made an appearance, and the larger point is hard to miss: Alabama football has become a stage where athletics, alumni pride and celebrity interest overlap, with the music side of that spotlight set to keep building as Creeds performances approach. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Heads Into Mississippi State With New Depth Concerns
Alabamas injury picture is starting to crowd the conversation heading into its trip to Mississippi State, with two more players added to a list the Crimson Tide has had to manage carefully. Will Sanders and Jayvin James both came out of the South Carolina game hurt, and while Sanders is expected to be available, James is now sitting in the questionable bucket as the Tide tries to sort out who will be ready to go.
The bigger concern may be the ripple effect on the middle of the defense. Linebackers Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu are already out, which leaves Alabama thinner than it would like at a spot that can be tested quickly in conference play. With depth being pushed and availability still in question for at least one more player, the Tide will have some decisions to make before it lines up against the Bulldogs. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Heads Into Mississippi State With One Lingering Injury Concern
Alabama is getting closer to its trip to Mississippi State with a clearer picture of the injury situation along both lines, though not every answer is in yet. Kalen DeBoer said offensive lineman Jayvin James is questionable, while William Sanders is expected to be ready, which at least gives the Tide some needed depth as they head into another SEC road test.
The bigger concern may still be on the defensive side, where outside linebacker Justin Hill and defensive end Desmond Umeozulu are both out, and Umeozulu is expected to need more time. Safety Zavier Mincey also sat out the previous game after getting hurt in pregame warmups, leaving Alabama with a few moving pieces to monitor as the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]