SEC football power rankings: Georgia takes down Tennessee, South Carolina climbing

The finish line is almost here. Just two weeks remain in the 2024 regular season, and the SEC race is as tight as ever, both for reaching the SEC Championship Game and, more importantly, reaching the College Football Playoff. After 12 weeks of action, how have my power rankings changed?

SEC Football Power Rankings after Week 12

I'm not sure the SEC has ever been more jumbled, at least not at the top of the league. Here are this week's power rankings...

1. Texas Longhorns

Texas didn't exactly impress anyone with their win over Arkansas, but they did manage to win. They better make sure they make Atlanta though because if they don't, that playoff resume isn't ideal.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide (up from 3)

Bama played their November buy-game. It's looking like if the Tide win out, they'll be in Atlanta. Don't do something stupid against Oklahoma or Auburn, Bama. Or do. That would be funny if you did do that.

3. Ole Miss Rebels (up from 4)

The Rebels got a bye to refocus after their domination of Georgia. Their trip to the Swamp is looking very interesting now, but they're in position to do what they entered the season hoping to.

4. Georgia Bulldogs (up from 5)

After a slow start, Georgia handled Tennessee with relative ease. I still do not trust this offense, but if UGA is clicking, they're still one of the nation's very best.

5. Tennessee Volunteers (down from 2)

Georgia continues to be Josh Heupel's kryptonite, and now the Vols no longer have the same clear path to the postseason. They better hope for chaos in front of them.

6. Texas A&M Aggies

A&M is funny because everyone has them clearly outside the Top-5, and yet with two weeks to go, if they win out, they're going to the SEC Championship Game which would likely secure them a playoff spot. Granted they still have time to make "Battered Aggie Syndrome" worse for their fans.

7. South Carolina Gamecocks (up from 9)

The Gamecocks won a thriller against Mizzou and continue to be the "what if" team of the season. Fans are laying out playoff scenarios for the Gamecocks, which is pointless, but I guess we can let them dream.

8. Missouri Tigers (down from 7)

The SEC's most fraudulent team looked less fraudulent when they took the late lead in Columbia. Unfortunately for them they let Carolina march down in the final seconds for the win. Three good teams played, three losses.

9. LSU Tigers (down from 8)

Oh, buddy, this is falling apart fast in Baton Rouge. Just a few weeks ago we were talking about the Tigers as a SEC contender. And now they've lost to Florida. Good thing you paid Brian Kelly all that money!

10. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vandy was on a bye, and now we get to envision Diego Pavia running circles around the LSU defense in Death Valley this week.

11. Florida Gators (up from 12)

I was very tempted to move the Gators up more, but I don't want to totally overreact to the LSU win. After all, they're still 5-5. But hey, now there's a clear path to a bowl, and there's a chance for an impressive finish for this team.

12. Arkansas Razorbacks (down from 11)

We've fully settled in on Arkansas just not being all that good. They'll make a bowl (could possibly win out), and Pittman seems like he'll be back next year. But the overall vibes here are "meh".

13. Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma is coming off a bye, and now they get Alabama coming to town. I'm sure that will go well for them (but non-sarcastically, what if it does?).

14. Auburn Tigers

Good job, Auburn, not losing to ULM because honestly many of us thought that might happen. Does enough Auburn Magic still exist to ruin A&M's season on Saturday, or did Hugh throw that under the bus with Payton Thorne too?

15. Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky, I know this year has sucked, but you have the opportunity to do the absolute funniest thing when you go to Austin this week. And we would all love to see it.

16. Mississippi State Bulldogs

The season turnaround starts right now-I'm just kidding, not happening.