SEC Rankings: Breaking down the Top 10 Teams
Boston Mountain Publishing, Wednesday, November 2, 2022 2:42 PM
We have ranked the Top 10 SEC Teams through Week 9 and discuss their current status and their teams outlook going forward.
Heading into Week 10, the SEC has 3 teams in the Top 10 and 5 teams in the AP Top 25 Poll. Two teams remain undefeated, both divisions are still up for grabs, and two players headline the Heisman race at the mid-way point in the 2022 season.
There are still several big games to be played in the regular season, especially over the next two weekends. Before we jump ahead, let's get through Week 10 first which offers 4 big games with division ramifications on the line in the East and West in 2 of them.
SEC Top Games of Week 10
KENTUCKY @ MISSOURI 12/11c
TENNESSEE @ GEORGIA 3:30/2:30c
LIBERTY @ ARKANSAS 4/3c
ALABAMA @ LSU 7/6c
Game of the Weekend
OLE MISS 31 @ TEXAS A&M 28
Ole Miss traveled to College Station on Saturday night to take on the Texas A&M Aggies in a SEC West midseason showdown. There was some preseason hype on this game early in the year as words were exchanged between both coaches, Lane Kiffin and Jimbo Fisher. With all that hype, all that mattered Saturday was Ole Miss making it out of there with a win and staying in the SEC West conversation.
This was another game for Texas A&M in which they played really well for half the game. Ole Miss was consistent throughout. Not one of their flashier games, but enough to take the win and put themselves in a decent position in the SEC West with a BYE week ahead. Two weeks to prepare for Alabama.
OLE MISS
RB Quinshon Judkins - 205 rushing yards and 1 TD
WR Jonathan Mingo - 89 receiving yards 1 TD
TEXAS A&M
QB Conner Weigman - 338 passing yards 4 TDs
RB Devon Achane - 138 rushing yards
WR Moose Muhammad III - 112 receiving yards 1 TD
SEC TEAM POWER RANKINGS
#10 - MISSOURI TIGERS 4-4
SEC EAST (2-3)
Missouri has kept most of their games close this year but wins and losses are what matter in the tough SEC. In their losses, they played Georgia close (4 points), Auburn close (3 points), Florida close (7 points), and their worst defeat was to Kansas State in Week 2, falling 40-12 on the road.
The Missouri Defense has been solid, allowing 21.5 points per game, but their offense can't get over the hump. Missouri will be a tough matchup down the stretch, and they still have plenty to play for and wanting to get to the magic number of 6 wins on the year and a post season bowl invitation. Their rival game against Arkansas, taking place in Columbia the day after Thanksgiving could have an impact on both teams for bowl eligibility and they do play for the Battle Line Trophy which adds some excitement to the annual game. They could use a win this weekend and so does Kentucky.
WR Dominic Lovett ranks 3rd in the SEC with 659 receiving yards.
K Harrison Mevis has tried the most field goals and has completed the most field goals in the SEC. He is 15 for 20 with a long of 56 yards.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
Defense is ranked 19th in the nation, only allowing 310.1 total yards per game, 2,481 total on the year.
Have only allowed 20 total TDs on the year, ranked 24th with only 16 being Offensive scores.
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
Kentucky (5-3)
@ Missouri
Saturday November 12
Missouri
@ Tennessee
#9 - SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS 5-3 Down 1
SEC EAST (2-3)
South Carolina was still in celebration mode from the weekend before after taking down Texas A&M 30-24 at Williams-Bryce Stadium and it showed this week. Missouri went into the other Columbia and walked away with an easy SEC East win. The Gamecocks looked tired and the Missouri D locked down their offense all day. They have an opportunity to get back in the win column this weekend when they travel to Nashville to take on the basement dwelling Vanderbilt Commodores.
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
South Carolina
@ Vanderbilt (3-5)
Saturday November 12
South Carolina
@ Florida
#8 - MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS 5-3 Up 1
SEC WEST (2-3)
In their last game before the BYE week, Mississippi State couldn't do much against Alabama, losing 30-6 on the road. At the time, the SEC West was still in play for the Bulldogs, but Alabama needed to respond to the national critics after losing in Knoxville the weekend before, and they did jst that. MSU was able to score their 6 points as time ran out.
The Bulldogs now face Auburn who is coming off a bad loss to Arkansas and they just fired their Head Coach Bryan Harsin on Monday morning. This is the week for State to get back on track. As long as they don't look too far ahead and start thinking about Georgia visiting next weekend, they should win at home this weekend.
Sidenote: Mississippi State Athletic Director John Cohen was hired by Auburn on Monday.
QB Will Rogers still leading the SEC with 2,555 passing yards, and is ranked #7 in nation
CB Emmanuel Forbes leads the conference with 5 INTs on the year.
LB Jett Johnson ranks 2nd in the SEC with 72 tackles.
LB Nathaniel Watson ranks 4th with 68 tackles.
NCAA NATIONAL RANKING
#10 Average passing yards per game: 321.6
#17 Completion rate 67.9%
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
Auburn (3-5)
@ Mississippi State
Saturday November 12
Georgia
@ Mississippi State
#7 - KENTUCKY WILDCATS 5-3 Down 2
SEC EAST (2-3)
The Wildcats were coming off a BYE week and trying to heal up and prepare for Tennessee before heading to Knoxville this past weekend in the much-anticipated matchup. Well, that was not the answer. There was no answer from Kentucky. They were outmatched all day against the Vols. The Wildcats travel to Columbia, MO and have an opportunity to get back some of that early season mojo against Missouri this weekend, but this will be a tough matchup for both teams. Missouri has a decent defense and could cause trouble for Kentucky, especially after being exposed last week at Tennessee.
NCAA NATIONAL RANKING
#20 Fewest passing yards allowed per game 186.6
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
Kentucky
@ Missouri (4-4)
Saturday November 12
Vanderbilt
@ Kentucky
#6 - ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS 5-3 Up 1
SEC WEST (2-3)
The running game is led by RB Raheim "Rocket" Sanders who is currently ranked 6th in the nation and 1st in the SEC with 1,041 yards on the ground.
The toughest loss for the Razorbacks this season was against Texas A&M in Arlington, TX for the annual Southwest Classic. The Aggies have dominated the series at the neutral site.
Mississippi St. looked impressive against the Hogs, relentless the entire game. The loss to Alabama was predictable.
The Hogs looked a little rusty coming off their BYE week against Auburn. They still won and it wasn't close, and they looked way better than Auburn whatever that means. This weekend Arkansas scheduled #23 Liberty for their Homecoming game and again they have a tough non-conference matchup to focus on. A victory here adds to their resume and a loss makes it more difficult to get that all important 6th win of the season.
LB Drew Sanders leads the SEC with 7 sacks.
DL Jordan Domineck is 2nd in the SEC with 6 sacks. (OUT)
DB Dwight McGlothern ranks 2nd in the SEC with 3 INTs.
LB Bumper Pool is 2nd in the SEC with 72 tackles on the year.
NCAA NATIONAL RANKING
#6 Rushing yards per game 245.8
#13 Total Offense: yards per game 492.5
#14 Completes 50% of their 3rd downs
#25 Total 1st Downs - 199
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
Liberty (7-1)
@ Arkansas
Saturday November 12
LSU (6-2)
@ Arkansas
#5 - OLE MISS 8-1 Up 1
SEC WEST (4-1)
This was a good win for Ole Miss coming off their previous week 45-20 beatdown at LSU. The Rebels played tough enough to outlast the Aggies late surge. Coach Kiffin said after the game, when "someone attacks you personally, calls you and your buddy Coach Saban both clowns, you take that personal. So, glad we won."
The next game is crucial for Ole Miss if they want to remain in contention for an SEC West title. Coach Lane Kiffin had his team in perfect position in the tough SEC West before the LSU loss, but the Rebels still have Alabama ahead. They have an extra week to prepare for their home game against the Tide, and if Alabama gets through LSU this weekend, there will be a spotlight on the City of Oxford on November 12th. Kiffin will be tuned into this weekend's game, at home.
QB Jaxson Dart had thrown for 1,911 yards ranking 4th in conference.
RB Quinshon Judkins ranks 2nd in the SEC with 1,036 rushing yards, 7th in nation
WR Jonathan Mingo has 664 receiving yards on the year ranking 2nd in the SEC.
NCAA NATIONAL RANKING - #11
#3 Rushing yards per game: 267.4
#8 Completes 51.2% of their 3rd downs
#10 Total Offense: yards per game: 494.9
#18 Average Points per game: 37.4
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
BYE
Saturday November 12
Alabama
@ Ole Miss
#4 - LSU TIGERS 6-2 Up 2
SEC WEST (4-1)
Two weeks ago, Brian Kelly and his LSU Tigers took on the undefeated Ole Miss Rebels at home in a SEC West matchup and the Tigers came out on top, 45-20 for their biggest win on the year. The Tigers have played better than most expected in Coach Brian Kelly's first year, especially after taking their toughest loss of the year in Week 1 against Florida State. That game could have gone either way, but they did bounce back and are starting to come together at the right time. The Tigers are coming off of a BYE week and have been preparing for the visit from Alabama this weekend for 2 weeks. LSU is still in the hunt for an SEC West title, but they have to win this game on Saturday.
The final score of this game between LSU and Bama will either set up a showdown with Alabama and Ole Miss next weekend or send the CFP into a tailspin with LSU leading the SEC West and in charge of paving their own path to the SEC Championship game. It's hard to believe this is the 2nd best game in the SEC this week.
NCAA NATIONAL RANKING - #15
#13 Completion rate of 68.5% through the air
#18 Completes 49% of their 3rd downs.
#19 202 First Downs
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
Alabama (7-1)
@ LSU
Saturday November 12
LSU
@ Arkansas
#3 - ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE 7-1
SEC WEST (4-1)
The Tide are coming out of a BYE week
to take on the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge on Saturday. The SEC West title is still in play for both teams and Coach Nick Saban will be prepared for this anticipated matchup.
All the talk had been about Tennessee beating Alabama. That loss doesn't affect the Tide in the West as their path to make the SEC Championship game in Atlanta and secure a CFP bid in December is still on track.
After the Tennessee loss, Alabama took down Mississippi State for an easy 30-6 win at home. Coach Saban said after that game, "we answered the bell, and I really like how our team played this week." We'll see if it carries over after the BYE.
The next two weekends will tell us who will be representing the SEC West in the SEC Title Game in Atlanta next month. If the Tide can get through these two tough road games, they should expect a return visit to the SEC Championship game.
Last year's Heisman Trophy winner QB Bryce Young is currently 5th in the SEC with 1,906 passing yards.
RB Jahmyr Gibbs is 5th in the SEC with 672 rushing yards.
LB Will Anderson Jr. has 6 sacks for the Tide and is ranked 2nd in the SEC.
NCAA NATIONAL RANKING - #6
#4 Average Points scored per game: 43.1
#7 Defense only allows 16.62 points per game
#12 Allows only 93.9 yards rushing per game
#17 Total Offense: yards per game 485.1
#17 Rushing yards per game 210.8
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
Alabama
@ LSU (5-2)
Saturday November 12
Alabama
@ Ole Miss
#2 - TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS 8-0
SEC EAST (4-0)
Tennessee scored first and Kentucky answered back with a TD, but they missed the extra-point, and the score was 7-6. That was the last time Kentucky scored all day. Tennesse has been known for their offensive weapons, but the defense made a statement against the Wildcats and their QB Will Levis.
It's been high times on Rocky Top over the last 3 weeks and this week they prepare for the much-anticipated matchup against SEC East rival, currently undefeated on the year, and the defending National Champion Georgia Bulldogs. The game is being held in Athens, GA, and Vols will get their biggest test of the year on Saturday putting their undefeated season on the line.
This is the Game of the Week, and all eyes will be on Athens, Georgia this weekend. There's an SEC East division on the line and someone is giving up the title of undefeated season when the final whistle sounds on Saturday. We wait in anticipation...
QB Henden Hooker is 3rd in the SEC with 2.338 passing yards this year.
WR Jalin Hyatt continues to lead the SEC with 907 receiving yards.
DL Byron Young ranks 4th in the SEC with 5 sacks.
DB Trevon Flowers is 4th in the league with 2 INTs.
NCAA NATIONAL RANKING - #3
#1 Total Offense 553 yards per game.
#1 Average points scored per game 49.4
#2 Average passing yards per game: 353.4
#4 Total passing TDs - 26
#6 Completion rate 71.3%
#9 Allows only 92.9 yards rushing per game.
#25 Average 199.6 rushing yards per game.
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
Tennessee
@ Georgia (8-0)
Saturday November 12
Missouri
@ Tennessee
#1 - GEORGIA BULLDOGS 8-0
SEC EAST (5-0)
Defending Champs remain at the top of the SEC, but the SEC East is on the line this weekend when Georgia hosts undefeated Tennessee in the Game of the Week.
Georgia's season will be defined by this weekend's outcome. This game is bigger for the Bulldogs than the Volunteer's because Georgia has held the top spot in the SEC East for several years. Will Georgia remain atop the SEC East, or will Tennessee overtake the Bulldogs not only in record, but future recruiting battles?
The Bulldogs made their annual trek to Jacksonville for the World's Largest Cocktail Party against rival Florida this past weekend, and it was never a game. They outscored the Gators 28-3 by halftime. The Offense set it on cruise in the 2nd half and coasted to their 8th win this year.
QB Stetson Bennett is 2nd in the SEC with 2,349 passing yards so far this season.
TE Brock Bowers is 4th in conference with 547 receiving yards this year.
K Jack Podlesny has made 14 out of 16 field goals, 2nd in conference.
NCAA NATIONAL RANKING - #1
#2 Defense only allows 10.50 points per game
#2 Total Offense: 530.1 yards per game
#5 Fewest Penalties on the year - 32
#5 Allows only 85.5 yards rushing per game
#6 Completes 52.1% of their 3rd downs
#6 Average Points scored per game: 41.8
#7 First Downs: 217
#8 Average passing yards per game: 328.1
#16 Completion rate of 68%
Looking at the above stats, Georgia is obviously stacked and in championship form, but their season may depend on the outcome of this one game. The Bulldogs have the toughest part of their schedule still remaining and it starts with the undefeated Volunteers this weekend. Time will tell.
This will be the hottest ticket in America this Saturday. It looks like you can get a single in the Upper Deck for $625.00 right now.
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
Tennessee (8-0)
@ Georgia
Saturday November 12
Georgia
@ Mississippi State
*Check out the Power Rankings in the Big XII
*Check out our updated BMPReport.com Top 30 rankings here:
updated 10/30/2022
*Check out the Review of the Top Games from the weekend...
Stats @ SECSPORTS.com
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