2018 SEC Power Rankings: Week 8

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You’ll all be happy to know that my confusion about the SEC has dwindled. Sure, three of the top five didn’t even play, but that’s not stopping me from analyzing them. With so many bye weeks and no upsets, we had a fairly boring Week 8. Don’t expect a ton of shakeup this week (except that I did let Auburn out of the basement).

You know the drill, folks. On to the rankings!

1. Alabama – More of the same from the Crimson Tide. The defense is good, the offense is great, and Tua Tagovailoa is spectacular. Everyone knows by now. This is Nick Saban’s best offense to date, and they just keep getting better. We finally get to see a test, but it’ll be another week of waiting. Bye week time.

2. LSU – Another case of business as usual, LSU’s defense completely shut down Mississippi State. You have to wonder which Tiger offense will show up each week. Joe Burrow has shown legitimate promise, but still proves to be inconsistent. LSU is right in the thick of the fight of the West, and they’ll need their offense to score more points. They head to a bye week before the Alabama showdown.

3. Georgia – The Bulldogs come off of a bye week and head to the Cocktail Party.

4. Texas A&M – The Aggies enjoyed some much needed rest before heading to Starkville this weekend.

5. Florida – A Cocktail Party where the Gators and Bulldogs both are fresh from an off week? I’m in.

6. Kentucky – An ugly win for the Wildcats as they let Vanderbilt hang around late in the game. Terry Wilson struggled to throw the football all night, racking up less than 20 yards total through the air. Fortunately for Kentucky, Benny Snell can put the team on his back. The defense also deserves some praise in escaping with a win. They’ll have a much larger task in defending Drew Lock though.

7. Missouri – Apparently last week I said that Mizzou/Memphis would be a good game. I was incorrect. The Tigers steamrolled the other Tigers (seriously, there are too many damned Tigers) while Drew Lock looked like Drew Lock. They won’t win the East, but they’re two wins away from bowl eligibility. They host Kentucky this weekend.

8. South Carolina – The Gamecocks needed this bye week before welcoming Tennessee this weekend.

9. Auburn – Out of the basement this week! What’s the best way to rebound from a losing streak? Thrash an inferior opponent of course! That’s exactly what the Tigers did on Saturday to Ole Miss. Jarrett Stidham played a solid game, which is easier to do when he isn’t running for his life. Even the run game showed up in the form of JaTarvious Whitlow. Now the Tigers head to a bye week.

10. Mississippi State – Well, that didn’t go well for Nick Fitzgerald. To the surprise of many, the Bulldog offense hasn’t really clicked lately. The defense has held up their end of the deal, but a one dimensional offense can’t get the job done. It couldn’t hurt to complete more than 10 passes in a game either. Things won’t get easier when the Bulldogs head to Texas A&M.

11. Ole Miss – If I never saw another Ole Miss game this season, I really don’t think it would matter. We know exactly who they are. Jordan Ta’amu is a capable quarterback, but needs SO much help. I don’t think a bye will fix anything, unless they use the time to find a defense.

12. Vanderbilt – To be honest, the Commodores could be dead last this week. They stayed out of the cellar because they stayed competitive with Kentucky. But, man, they just can’t finish a game. Lack of depth has haunted Vanderbilt all season. Maybe, just maybe, the Commodores can pull it together against Arkansas this weekend.

13. Arkansas – The Razorbacks notched a much needed win against Tulsa. I mean, yeah, Tulsa is 1-5, but you really have to take wins where you can find them. Now Arkansas welcomes Vanderbilt, in what some might call a football game.

14. Tennessee – Getting thrashed by Alabama was probably expected, but highlights how far the Vols still have to go.

Poppa Bear is the Lead SEC Analyst for the SoBros Network, and serves as our resident expert on the human anatomy, fixin’ stuff, and tomatoes. Follow on Twitter:@SoBroPoppaBear

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