SEC Football Power Rankings: Late season collapses doom playoff hopes

College football always delivers. The SEC was storming towards owning a huge chunk of the first ever 12-team College Football Playoff only to have three contenders collapse in Week 12. We've reached mass chaos late in the year. So how do I sort the league at this point?

SEC Football Power Rankings after Week 13

At this point, head to head isn't that much of a factor anymore. With as much as these teams keep whipping up on each other, it's impossible to keep that consistent. I'm just rolling with a not at all exact combination of vibes and "who's probably better".

Here are the rankings...

1. Texas Longhorns

Texas keeps chugging along. And given the chaos that ensued across the country, I'm fairly certain they're locked into the playoff regardless of what happens against A&M.

2. Georgia Bulldogs (up from 4)

Did Georgia look impressive against UMass. Nope! Should they be very worried going into the Georgia Tech game? Yep! But they're locked into a trip to the SEC title game and are basically in the two-spot by default.

3. Tennessee Volunteers (up from 5)

Tennessee was untested on the weekend and watched the teams in front of them collapse. It was a good Saturday for Big Orange. Now about that trip to Nashville this week...

4. South Carolina Gamecocks (up from 7)

Right now, no 3-loss SEC team is playing better than South Carolina. Yes, they lost to both Alabama and Ole Miss, but they beat A&M and Mizzou which basically cancels that out. I don't believe they deserve the same serious playoff consideration SEC fans are pushing for, but they are a legit good team.

5. Ole Miss Rebels (down from 3)

Ole Miss finally getting the big breakthrough win over Georgia to give themselves a clear path to the playoff only to turn around and lose to Florida and see their playoff hopes effectively end is incredibly on-brand. But their loss at least isn't as ugly as the losses suffered by others in the playoff hunt.

6. Texas A&M Aggies

Speaking of things being on-brand, Texas A&M losing to Auburn the week before resurrecting their most-important rivalry at home could not be more on-brand. The good news for A&M, win and they're in the SEC Championship Game. The bad news, this loss might have ended their at-large hopes even if they beat Texas.

7. Alabama Crimson Tide (down from 2)

That sound you hear is the mob of angry Gumps storming Tuscaloosa to riot outside Kalen DeBoer's front door. A blowout loss to Oklahoma?! With the postseason on the line?! It seems the assumption made years ago that whoever took over after Saban was doomed may be true.

8. Missouri Tigers

I was going to give Missouri credit because they finally handled business against a lesser power conference team, but then I realized that's only because of how bad Mississippi State is so never mind.

9. Florida Gators (up from 11)

Good for Billy Napier, and I mean that sincerely. He was labeled a lame duck by everyone as recently as a few weeks ago, and when it was announced he'd be returning, Florida fans nearly lost it. But now he's pulled off consecutive upsets to get the Gators bowl-eligible, and they should easily handle FSU to get to seven wins. That's a good step forward given the schedule they faced.

10. LSU Tigers (down from 9)

LSU managed to not lose at home to Vanderbilt coming off some crushing performances in recent weeks, but no one is happy here.

11. Oklahoma Sooners (up from 13)

Dominating Alabama in front of your own fans to keep the bowl-streak going is something to rally around as the Sooners continue their transition into life in the SEC. But another season like this and Venables is done.

12. Vanderbilt Commodores (down from 10)

The shine is off the apple for Vandy after consecutive losses, but don't rule out the 'Dores ending Tennessee's playoff chances on Saturday. And even if they don't, it's Vanderbilt. Six wins is awesome!

13. Arkansas Razorbacks (down from 12)

The hogs got the win they needed to become bowl-eligible, and it's feasible they can beat Mizzou to win seven. Whether that happens or not, it seems Sam Pittman saved his job, which I'm sure everyone in Fayetteville is just thrilled about.

14. Auburn Tigers

Auburn got its one annual improbable home performance for a win over Texas A&M. And now they enter the Iron Bowl needing one win to make a bowl with Bama coming off a crushing loss...

15. Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky is officially missing a bowl for the first time since 2015. But will I be surprised if they still find a way to beat Louisville? Of course not.

16. Mississippi State Bulldogs

There was a brief moment early in the game with Mizzou where it looked like State may very well add to the fun of last Saturday. They did not.