SEC Football: Week 6 Power Rankings

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The midway point of the season has come. Here are how the SEC teams stack, in this weeks edition of the SEC Power Rankings.

It was an interesting week for many SEC teams, as the LSU-Florida game and South Carolina-Georgia game were postponed due to Hurricane Matthew, SC-Georgia to Sunday and a still undetermined date for the LSU-Florida game. Tennessee took their first loss as their first half troubles finally caught up with them. Even though Tennessee caught up to Texas A&M and the game went into 2 OT’s, A&M set the tone for the game. Elsewhere in the conference, Alabama continued to assert its dominance, this time against the Razorbacks of Arkansas.

Here are the Week 6 power rankings for the Southeastern Conference.

Oct 8, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) passes the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first quarter at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt Commodores

2-4

Last week: L 20-13 KentuckyLast rank: 14

Vanderbilt hung in there with the Wildcats, in what just might be their last winnable SEC game for the season, yet the Commodores still came up just short.

With 4 losses, Vanderbilt is inching closer and closer to not being bowl eligible once again. Head coach Derek Mason, in my opinion will not be around after the season. The Commodore defense has been good this year, as it was expected to be, but the offense has continued to make zero progress, which much like it doomed Les Miles at LSU, might be the downfall of the Derek Mason regime at Vanderbilt.

Next game: October 15, at Georgia, 12:00pm ET SEC Network

Oct 9, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Deandre Baker (18) brings down South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) during the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Georgia won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Gamecocks

2-4

Last week: L 28-14 GeorgiaLast rank: 13

The Gamecocks lost to Georgia in a close effort in a game that took place on Sunday after postponement due to Hurricane Matthew.

The Gamecocks played a close game against a Georgia team that had to respond after their last second defeat to Tennessee. South Carolina has hung in there and played tough against top teams, as evidenced by their performances against the Bulldogs and the Texas A&M Aggies. Will Muschamp has provided a boost to this team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. If the Gamecocks can get their offensive issues fixed this season then the could still make a bowl game, but that offensive improvement may not come until next year. Either way, South Carolina, as of now, looks like they will be back soon.

Next game: October 22, vs UMass, Time/Channel: TBD

Oct 8, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen yells during the second half of the game against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium. Auburn won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State Bulldogs

2-3

Last week: L 38-14 AuburnLast rank: 11

All I am saying is that Mississippi State had a bye week to get ready for Auburn, they were not ready for Auburn.

The Auburn Tigers rolled in Starkville, in a game that Mississippi State never really was in as momentum swung to Auburn early in the first quarter and the Bulldogs never recovered. Mississippi State looked almost disinterested in this game as a whole. Coming off a bye week and having your worst performance of the year is never a good sign, for any team. The Bulldog offense continues to struggle on the ground and Nick Fitzgerald could never establish much through the air, or when he did a turnover would occur, thanks to Fitzgerald’s offensive line which was porous at best.

If Mississippi State is going to rebound, they have to find their running game, which is when they are at their best, till then, the bulldogs wills struggle.

Next game: October 14, at BYU, 10:15pm ET ESPN

Oct 8, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Jojo Kemp (3) runs the ball against Vanderbilt Commodores safety Ryan White (14) in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Vanderbilt 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky Wildcats

3-3

Last week: W 20-13 Vanderbilt Last rank: 12

Give credit to Kentucky, this team looked really down and out after the Florida game and have done pretty well since, even hanging in there with Alabama for a little bit.

Head coach Mark Stoops has his team playing better of late, in an attempt to save their season and possibly his job, as the Wildcats won a close one over Vanderbilt and now sit at 3-3 on the season. The Wildcats continue to ride the running game, and it continues to pay off for them as running backs, Benny Snell Jr and Jojo Kemp paved the way on the ground for Kentucky. If the Wildcats can keep it up, they might just get to a bowl, finally.

Next game: October 22, vs Mississippi State, Time/Channel TBD

Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Barry Odom during the first half of a game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Missouri Tigers

2-3

Last week: Bye WeekLast rank: 10

The Missouri Tigers were on a bye week this past weekend.

Next game: October 15, at Florida, 4:00pm ET SEC Network

Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers interim head coach Ed Orgeron celebrates after he is dunked with a cooler by quarterback Caleb Lewis (8) and wide receiver Stephen Sullivan (10) following a win in his first game against the Missouri Tigers at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Missouri 42-7. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

LSU Tigers

3-2

Last week: Florida-PostponedLast rank: 8

LSU’s game against Florida was postponed due to Hurricane Matthew. The game has yet to be rescheduled.

The Bayou Bengals fall one spot, due to the win by the Georgia Bulldogs.

Next game: October 15 vs Southern Miss, 7:30pm ET SEC Network

Oct 9, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) makes a catch against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Bulldogs

4-2

Last week: W 28-14 South CarolinaLast rank: 9

After a monumentally heartbreaking loss to Tennessee last week, the Georgia Bulldogs could have responded one of two ways; either not show up against South Carolina, or play their butts off and get a win, and getting a win is exactly what they did.

Jacob Eason’s maturity continues to show itself as the freshman quarterback continues to look more and more comfortable in the offense. Eason was great last week, including his, what looked like, game winning touchdown pass. The Georgia offense is however, at its best when the running game is working and Nick Chubb looked as good as ever against the Gamecocks on Sunday.

Georgia still has a shot at winning the SEC East, they just have to continue to improve and stay healthy, and hope Tennessee to continue losing.

Next game: October 15, vs Vanderbilt, 12:00pm ET SEC Network

Oct 8, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema (left) watches a play during the second quarter in the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas Razorbacks

4-2

Last week: L 49-30 AlabamaLast rank: 5

What was once a promising season, seems to be quickly headed south for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

After back to back losses to top 10 teams, Arkansas seems to be lost. The game against Alabama, was never really in doubt, as the Crimson Tide asserted themselves early and often and never looked back. The Razorbacks still have many meaningful games left in the season, including their home matchup with Ole Miss this Saturday, so their is still plenty to play for, including better bowl positioning after the end of the regular season. The biggest letdown for Arkansas has been the defense which could not stop Texas A&M and then could not stop the Crimson Tide. If Arkansas is going to beat Ole Miss, it better improve and improve quick.

Next game: October 15, vs Ole Miss 7:00pm ET ESPN

Oct 1, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Florida won 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Florida Gators

4-1

Last week: LSU-PostponedLast rank: 6

The Florida Gators matchup against the LSU Tigers was postponed due to Hurricane Matthew. The game has yet to me rescheduled.

Next game: October 15, vs Missouri, 4:00pm ET SEC Network

Oct 8, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback John Franklin III (5) runs the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Auburn won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn Tigers

4-2

Last week: W 38-14 Miss StateLast rank: 7

To say that Auburn dismantled Mississippi State, would be an understatement.

While the Tigers did get vanilla on offense in the second half, Auburn was never in danger of losing this game and was offered the opportunity to just coast. The Auburn defense was most impressive, as the Tigers consistently got pressure on Mississippi State quarterback, Nick Fitzgerald. Overall the Auburn defense caused 3 fumbles and got one interception. Kamryn Pettway was on fire at the running back position, rushing for 169 yards and 3 touchdowns. Pettway came in to the game after the injury to Kerryon Johnson and could not be stopped by the Bulldogs.

Auburn might not be out of the SEC West race yet, but tough games still await the Tigers.

Next game: October 22, vs Arkansas, Time/Channel TBD

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones yells at the referees during the second quarter of the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers

5-1

Last week: L 45-38Last rank: 3

After many games of falling behind the opposing team in the first half of games, the bad trait finally caught up with the Tennessee Volunteers.

While Tennessee did claw back into this game and took it to overtime, Texas A&M’s early jump out lead can be contributed with winning this game for the Aggies. Credit has to go to the Volunteers, they certainly made it a game and their defense did well towards the end, but the A&M was too good for too long. Josh Dobbs however, as a veteran quarterback cannot make an interception mistake in overtime the way that he did.

Obviously this is just one loss and Tennessee still has the lead in the SEC East. The Volunteers aren’t out of the SEC race or the playoff hunt.

Next game: October 15, vs Alabama, 3:30pm ET CBS

Oct 1, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze looks onto the field during the second quarter of the game against the Memphis Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss Rebels

3-2

Last week: Bye WeekLast rank: 4

The Rebels were on a bye week this past week, preparing for their game against Arkansas this coming Saturday.

Next game: October 15, at Arkansas, 7:00pm ET ESPN

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight (8) celebrates with his teammates after the win over the Tennessee Volunteers at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeated the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M Aggies

6-0

Last week: W 45-38 TennesseeLast rank: 2

If you had any doubts about the type of team that Texas A&M was before the Tennessee game, then those doubts can assuredly be put to rest.

The Aggies know how to win and have all the confidence in the world after taking down a top 10 team in College Station. If there are any worries, then it could be the amount of yards and points that the defense gave up, but that was to be expected against a team as talented as Tennessee. Trevor Knight continues to lead the offense was poise and the Aggies offense was explosive, despite the ability of the Volunteer defense.

Head Coach Kevin Sumlin has to be grinning ear to ear after many thought he would be on his way out during or after this season. Now he’s in line for a contract extension. A&M still has tough games against Alabama, Ole Miss and LSU to play, but the Aggies are for real.

Next game: October 22, at Alabama, Time/Channel TBD

Oct 8, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban reacts after the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Alabama defeated Arkansas 49-30. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama Crimson Tide

6-0

Last week: W 49-30 ArkansasLast rank: 1

Alabama once again holds the top spot in our SEC power rankings after defeating Arkansas on the road in Fayetteville.

The Crimson Tide scored early and often and never looked back as they beat Arkansas last Saturday. Alabama was highly efficient on offense, led by 4 combined touchdowns and 253 yards passing from Jalen Hurts, and running back Damien Harris’ 122 yards rushing. The defense, while it did give up points, never allowed Arkansas to get to within single digits of the Crimson Tide lead. The defense will have to get better when Alabama heads to Knoxville next Saturday.

With the big game against Tennessee coming, Alabama overall still looks like the best team in the nation, the defense leaves a little to be desired against top teams, but they will assuredly fix their problems. The Crimson Tide will be tested in a hostile environment this weekend against the Volunteers.

Next game: October 15, at Tennessee, 3:30pm ET CBS