Tennessee rises while Auburn falls in SEC Power Rankings after Week 4

On paper, Week 4 wasn't the greatest slate of SEC games, and that played out to an extent. But if nothing else, we learned a lot about the direction of several teams.

Let's look at what's changed in my power rankings after last week's action...

SEC Power Rankings after Week 4

1. Texas Longhorns

Texas did what you'd expect to do to ULM in Arch Manning's first start, and it's not out the question that they beat Mississippi State by more this week.

2. Georgia Bulldogs

Off week for the Bulldogs ahead of their trip to Tuscaloosa.

3. Tennessee Volunteers (up from 5)

Time to start moving up the Vols. Their offense did enough on the road against a good Sooners' defense, and their defense was dominant. Big Orange is for real.

4. Ole Miss Rebels (down from 3)

New week, same story for the Rebels. Ole Miss continues to eviscerate bad opponents. We'll see if Kentucky can challenge Ole Miss like they did Georgia.

5. Alabama Crimson Tide (down from 4)

Same as Georgia, the Tide got a break before the two face-off this week. This will be an awesome game.

6. Missouri Tigers

Missouri has now looked suspect in back-to-back weeks. Now Boston College and Vanderbilt are both better than everyone assumed they'd be, but they aren't good enough that a playoff contender should struggle with both. However, the Tigers have at least continued to win, so they stay put.

7. LSU Tigers (up from 8)

LSU looked iffy for a half against a bad UCLA team, but they eventually got it together to pull away for a relatively easy win. I don't think they're great, but most of these teams aren't.

8. Arkansas Razorbacks (up from 11)

I may now be required to start respecting Arkansas football. They hung tough with a good Oklahoma State team, and they went on the road to beat Auburn. Sam Pittman might actually save his job.

9. Oklahoma Sooners (down from 7)

The Sooners can play defense, but they've got major problems offensively (this is still a weird thing to say). The scheme is bad, they're banged-up, and now they're changing QBs. This is trending towards a rough first year in the SEC.

10. Texas A&M Aggies (down from 9)

Look maybe Bowling Green is actually good considering they've now put a scare into both Penn State and Texas A&M. But still, this was not a great showing for the Aggies who are still trying to figure out their offense.

11. South Carolina Gamecocks (down from 10)

Nothing to say here. Handled business against terrible team.

12. Kentucky Wildcats (up from 13)

Same as Carolina. Did what you should do against a MAC team.

13. Vanderbilt Commodores (up from 14)

So close, 'Dores. Vandy nearly sprung a road upset at Mizzou, but a missed field goal in double-overtime that would've extended the game. Still, this team is just ok enough to be ahead of the SEC's worsts.

14. Florida Gators (up from 15)

Congrats, Florida. You won and did so fairly easily. That's an achievement for the Gators at this point, even against Mississippi State. But this team is still bad.

15. Auburn Tigers (down from 12)

Uh oh. Looks like there's trouble on the Plains. Things are going well for ole Hugh right now after an ugly home loss to Arkansas. And Freeze is getting called out by Dr. Bo Wallace online? This could fall apart fast.

16. Mississippi State Bulldogs

What do you do one week after getting killed by Toledo at home? Allow Graham Mertz to look like a superstar and save Billy Napier's job for a week at home. And now Blake Shapen is done for the year. Gonna be a long year, Bulldogs, but we already knew that.