Week 3 was an incredible one for SEC football, with instant classics between Georgia and Tennessee, Texas A&M and Notre Dame, and Ole Miss and Arkansas. After some particularly impactful results, how do we power rank the conference?
SEC Football Power Rankings after Week 3
1. Georgia
After going through the motions the first two weeks of the season, Georgia looked like the program we've come to expect. Their offense came alive in Knoxville for what looks to be the best win of any SEC team so far.
2. Oklahoma
The Sooners look like one of the more complete teams in the SEC with John Mateer lighting it up and a shutdown defense. We don't know just how good their win over Michigan will prove to be, but they look the part.
3. Texas A&M
After a thrilling victory in South Bend, it's clear the Aggie offense is legit. Whether or not their defense reaches Mike Elko's standards will determine their ultimate ceiling.
4. LSU
The Tigers have continued to win, but their win at Clemson isn't aging particularly well. And their offense suddenly seems quite questionable.
5. Tennessee
Despite a heart-breaking home loss to Georgia, the Vols still look outstanding. Joey Aguilar and the offense clicking against the Dawgs is a good sign even in defeat. The defense has some questions, but this team is firmly in the mix.
6. Auburn
Auburn wasn't exactly dominant against South Alabama, but the game was also never in doubt. The pieces are there for a great season, but they'll need big performances from Jackson Arnold and their defense to get a win in Norman this weekend.
7. Vanderbilt
Vandy is good, y'all. The 'Dore offense continues to be a pain to handle, and their defense legitimately gets after teams. Barring a slip-up, they're going to be 5-0 going to Tuscaloosa, and it doesn't the seem the Tide have gotten better at defending short, running QBs since last year...
8. Missouri
Mizzou is just quietly steamrolling teams. Beau Pribula looks far better than anyone expected, and he's got some great skill talent around him. We're at the point that we can just trust Eli Drinkwitz to field a good team.
9. Ole Miss
No Austin Simmons? No problem for the Rebels, as backup Trinidad Chambliss was fantastic in their win over Arkansas. Who will be the QB going forward? That may be a tough call for Lane Kiffin, but it's a good problem to have. What isn't a good problem is that the Ole Miss defense looks like it did pre-2024.
10. Mississippi State
Jeff Lebby and the Bulldogs have already exceeded their 2024 win total with a 3-0 start. It's tough to say just how good they'll be going forward, as the schedule will soon ramp up. But they're clearly a far better team than they were a year ago.
11. Alabama
Look, Alabama is almost certainly better than 11th in the SEC. If the team we saw against ULM and Wisconsin is what they'll be moving forward, they'll be firmly in contention. But Week 1 can't yet be ignored. The Tide have to show a strong performance against a quality opponent before they receive benefit of the doubt again.
12. Texas
Uh, Arch? Everything ok? The start of the Manning-era in Austin isn't going to plan. The offense, and Arch specifically, looks dreadful, and no one is really sure why. Now they do have an awesome defense to fall back on, but they've got a lot to figure out to come anywhere close to meeting preseason expectations.
13. Arkansas
Taylen Green is legitimately in the conversation for being the SEC's best QB. Unfortunately for him, even putting up Heisman-level numbers may not be enough to lead the Hogs to wins because of how poor their defense is.
14. South Carolina
The Gamecocks have problems. The offense is a mess, and the defense isn't strong enough to cover up for that. And now we're unsure about LaNorris Sellers' health. With a brutal schedule upcoming, they've got to get right quickly to avoid a major step back from last season.
15. Florida
There's a case to be made that the vibes around Gainesville are worse than the actually reality of the team quality. There are reasons to think Florida may not be that bad of a team. But with the upcoming schedule, "not that bad" won't be enough to save Bill Napier.
16. Kentucky
Perhaps the QB change will spark something for the Wildcats, but Kentucky just looks destined to have another rough year.