The SEC continues to be a fiercely competitive conference, with a number of teams vying for the top spot. Once again, our writers are divided on the top two teams, with Georgia and Texas neck-and-neck.
The upcoming matchup between Georgia and Alabama is expected to be a pivotal game that could break the tie between the Bulldogs and the Longhorns.
Once again this week, we have seen a significant amount of movement in the rankings, with seven teams changing positions from where they were a week ago. However, one thing remains clear: Mississippi State continues to struggle and is currently the bottom team in the conference.
Let’s dive into the rankings and see how our writers ranked the SEC teams as we head into Week 5.
2024 Heartland Sports SEC Power Rankings, Week 5
| Ranking | Points |
| 1. Georgia | 59 |
| 1. Texas | 59 |
| 3. Alabama | 57 |
| 4. Ole Miss | 54 |
| 5. Tennessee | 51 |
| 6. Missouri | 43 |
| 7. LSU | 38 |
| 8. Oklahoma | 37 |
| 9. Texas A&M | 32 |
| 10. South Carolina | 26 |
| 11. Arkansas | 24 |
| 12. Kentucky | 19 |
| 13. Florida | 16 |
| 14. Auburn | 13 |
| 14. Vanderbilt | 13 |
| 16. Mississippi State | 4 |
Individual Thoughts
Caleb
1. Ole Miss | Ole Miss is giving Tennessee a run for their money for best Offense in the SEC and Nation. Their defense played really well last week with not allowing even 200 total yards of offense.
2. Texas | Texas looked good with Manning. While Manning had 2 INTs in his debut he still had 2 touchdowns with 258 yards.
3. Alabama | Alabama had the week off, and will have a big game ahead next week against Georgia.
4. Georgia
5. Tennessee
6. Missouri
7. Oklahoma
8. Texas A&M
9. LSU
10. Arkansas
11. Florida
12. South Carolina
13. Auburn
14. Kentucky
15. Vanderbilt | Vandy looked good, but just couldn’t find a way to win. They have a tough few weeks coming up and really needed to take advantage while they had a chance.
16. Mississippi State | Year 1 for Jeff Lebby is not off to a great start. With Blake Shapen being out for the rest of the year it’s only going to get worse from here.
Craig
1. Georgia | Georgia had the week off which gives them extra rest heading into their big matchup with Alabama. This will be a statement game for the Bulldogs who haven’t really been tested outside of their week one matchup with Clemson.
2. Texas | Texas was without Quinn Ewers in their route over ULM. Arch Manning stepped in and led the way although he looked less than impressive. It will be important for Texas to get healthy as the season continues.
3. Tennessee | Tennessee looked dominant in their victory over Oklahoma. The defensive line appears to be legit, and the high power offense is capable of a big play at any moment.
4.Alabama
5. Ole Miss
6. LSU
7. Missouri
8. Oklahoma
9. Texas A&M
10. South Carolina
11. Arkansas
12. Vanderbilt
13. Kentucky
14. Florida
15. Auburn | Auburn has struggled to score points in both of their losses. Both games were at home as well. Auburn won’t be able to compete in this conference without an offense that is capable of scoring in big games.
16. Mississippi State | The Mississippi State offense simply couldn’t keep up with the Gators. It’s going to be a long season down in Starkville.
Matt
1. Georgia | The Bulldogs were idle so there’s no movement up or down this week at the top of my rankings.
2. Alabama | Bama also sat idle, making things pretty easy for me at the top here.
3. Ole Miss | Ole Miss has passed the eye test through the first four weeks of the season.
4. Texas
5. Tennessee
6. Missouri
7. LSU
8. Texas A&M
9. Oklahoma
10. Arkansas
11. South Carolina
12. Auburn
13. Kentucky
14. Vanderbilt
15. Florida | Beating the worst team in the SEC won’t change the pressure that’s on Billy Napier.
16. Mississippi State | The Bulldog defense is horrendous and that doesn’t bode well for Mississippi State as the season progresses.
Zack
1. Texas | The Longhorns had an easy one against Louisiana-Monroe, but they dominated like they have been, so they stay at the top.
2. Alabama | I had Alabama at #2 last week, and they were off this week. Nobody played well enough for me to bump the Crimson Tide.
3. Georgia | The Bulldogs also didn’t play this weekend, so they stay at #3.
4. Tennessee
5. Ole Miss
6. Missouri
7. Oklahoma
8. LSU
9. South Carolina
10. Kentucky
11. Texas A&M
12. Florida
13. Arkansas
14. Vanderbilt
15. Auburn | Losing by double digits at home to Arkansas was not a good look, and it doesn’t get any easier as they host Oklahoma before traveling to Georgia, Missouri, and Kentucky in successive weeks.
16. Mississippi State | The Bulldogs MIGHT get one more win this season when they play UMass. It’s not looking good outside of that.
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