SEC Football Power Rankings - Week 7 2026 Season
8:45AM 10/18/2026
Updated through Saturday, October 17, 2026 · Week 7 Results
We have a lot to talk about in the
SEC this week. The
conference has been turned upside down after a Saturday filled with upsets,
including losses by
Georgia, Alabama, and Texas.
With the regular season moving toward the halfway point, the SEC Championship race is wide open, and several teams have a
chance to make a statement over
the next few weeks.
Georgia entered the weekend ranked No. 1 in the nation, but Auburn went into Athens and
walked away with a 27-24 victory. Alabama traveled to Tennessee and took a
26-10 loss, while Ole Miss made a statement of its own with a
31-3 win over Missouri. LSU also handled Mississippi State, winning
31-0. Those results have changed the outlook for the SEC and the College Football Playoff
race.
One thing is clear: there are no easy Saturdays in the SEC. A team's reputation only goes so
far, and this weekend proved that rankings do not mean much once the game kicks off.
Before we look ahead to the next round of games, let's break down the SEC's biggest
storylines, recap the weekend's top matchup, and rank the conference's Top 10 teams based
on their current performance and outlook.
SEC Top Games of Week 8
Saturday, October 24, 2026
LSU @ Auburn - Noon ET
Texas A&M @ Alabama - 3:30 p.m. ET
Ole Miss @ Texas - TBD
Tennessee @ South Carolina - TBD
Oklahoma @ Mississippi State - 3:30 p.m. ET
Vanderbilt @ Kentucky - 7:30 p.m. ET
Game of the Weekend
Auburn 27 vs. Georgia 24 @ Sanford Stadium — Athens, Georgia
No doubt about it, this was one of the biggest games of the weekend. Georgia entered the matchup ranked No. 1 in the country and playing at home, where
the Bulldogs were expected to take care of business against Auburn.
Instead, the Tigers walked into Athens and pulled off one of the biggest
upsets of the season. Auburn secured a 27-24 victory with a
last-second field goal by Alex McPherson, giving the Tigers
their first win in Athens since 2001. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton also had a difficult afternoon, committing three turnovers that proved costly in a
game decided by just three points. Georgia left the stadium defeated and deflated.
This is the kind of loss that changes the conversation around a team. Georgia is still very much in the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff picture, but the Bulldogs can no longer afford to overlook anybody on the schedule.
For Auburn, this is a huge confidence boost. Beating the No. 1 team on the road is the type of win that can turn a season around, provided the Tigers can build on it. The bigger question now is how Georgia responds. Championship teams usually find a way tobounce back after a tough loss, and the Bulldogs will have an opportunity to show us what they are made of over the next few weeks.
SEC TEAM POWER RANKINGS
These rankings weigh the teams' current records, quality of wins, recent performances, and
outlook for the remainder of the season. The order is an editorial power ranking, not the
official SEC standings or AP Poll.
#10 - TEXAS LONGHORNS
Record: 4-2 · Coming off a loss
Texas is officially in a tough spot. The Longhorns dropped their second straight game
this past weekend, falling to Florida 27-24 at home. After starting the season 4-0 with an
impressive win over Ohio State, Texas has now lost back-to-back games to Oklahoma
and Florida. For a team with playoff expectations, this is not the position it wanted to be
in at this point in the season. The biggest concern is the offense. Texas has struggled to
find consistency when it matters most, and the loss to Florida showed just how quickly
things can fall apart. The Longhorns started strong but went through a lengthy stretch
without much offensive production before making a late push. Turnovers and missed
opportunities continue to be costly, and those mistakes are becoming harder to overlook.
The next test is a home matchup against Ole Miss, and the timing could not be more
important. The Rebels will bring plenty of confidence into Austin, and Texas needs to
respond before this losing streak gets any worse. Another loss would put even more
pressure on the Longhorns and make their path toward the College Football Playoff
significantly more difficult. The good news is that Texas still has plenty of football left to
play, and the schedule offers opportunities to turn things around. The bad news is that
the margin for error is shrinking. This team has the talent to compete with just about
anyone, but talent alone is not going to fix the problems showing up on the field.
What to watch: The Longhorns need to get the offense back on track, protect the football,
and find a way to finish drives. Arch Manning and the offense must show more
consistency, especially in the second half, if Texas hopes to get back on the right track.
Upcoming games:
Saturday, October 24 — Ole Miss at Texas.
Saturday, October 31 — Mississippi State at Texas.
Saturday, November 7 — Texas at Missouri.
#9 - FLORIDA GATORS
Record: 4-2 · Big road win
Florida deserves plenty of credit for what it accomplished in Austin this weekend.
The Gators went on the road and defeated No. 7 Texas 27-24,
coming from behind to secure one of the biggest wins in the conference.
Freshman quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. made his first start and helped Florida pull off the
upset. It was a significant result for a team that needed something positive to build on.
The Gators have the talent to make things interesting in the SEC, but now the challenge is
turning one big win into sustained success. A road win against a ranked opponent is great,
but it only matters so much if the team struggles the following week. Florida has an opportunity to keep building momentum, and the performance against Texas
should give this team some confidence. The question is whether the offense can continue to
execute and whether the defense can make enough plays in close games.
What to watch: Jones Jr.'s development at quarterback and whether Florida can carry its
momentum into the next stretch of conference play.
Upcoming games:
Saturday, October 24 — Florida is off this week.
Saturday, October 31 — Florida vs. Georgia in Jacksonville. FL.
Saturday, November 7 — Oklahoma at Florida.
#8 - MISSOURI TIGERS
Record: 5-2 · Down after a road loss
Missouri had an opportunity to make a statement against Ole Miss, but the Tigers
left Oxford with a disappointing 31-3 loss. After a strong victory over Texas A&M the
previous week, Missouri looked like a team ready to challenge the conference's top
contenders. Instead, the offense struggled to get anything going against the Rebels.
That is the frustrating part of this season for Missouri. The Tigers have shown they can put
together an impressive performance, but now they need to prove they can do it against the
best teams in the conference. Quarterback Austin Simmons has been one of the team's key
offensive players. His production throughout October has helped Missouri move the football,
but this past weekend showed that the offense needs to find answers when its first
options are taken away. Missouri still has plenty to play for. A 5-2 record keeps the
Tigers in the conversation, but the margin for error has become much smaller.
What to watch: Missouri needs to bounce back offensively and avoid allowing one difficult
loss to turn into a losing streak.
Upcoming games:
Saturday, October 24 — Missouri is off this week.
Saturday, October 31 — Missouri at Arkansas.
Saturday, November 7 — Texas at Missouri.
#7 - MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS
Record: 4-2 · Coming off a shutout loss
Mississippi State had a rough afternoon in Baton Rouge. The Bulldogs traveled to
LSU and were shut out, a result that raises some questions about where this team stands
against the upper tier of the SEC. The Bulldogs entered the weekend with a respectable
record and a national ranking, but theynever found a way to get their offense
moving against LSU. Being shut out at this pointin the season is a tough pill to swallow,
especially with another conference opponent coming up. Quarterback Kamario Taylor
has been one of the conference's more productive passers. Through the October 10
games, he had thrown for 1,450 yards and 17 touchdowns. That production gives
Mississippi State something to build around, but the offense needs to respond
after this latest performance.
The Bulldogs now have an important opportunity at home against Oklahoma. A win
would help settle things down and keep them in the conference race. Another
performance likethe one against LSU, however, would make the road ahead much more
difficult.
What to watch: Can Mississippi State get its offense back on track and protect the football
against Oklahoma?
Upcoming games:
Saturday, October 24 — Oklahoma at Mississippi State.
Saturday, October 31 — Mississippi State at Texas.
Saturday, November 7 — Vanderbilt at Mississippi State.
#6 - ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Record: 5-2 · Two tough losses
The Crimson Tide have had a difficult couple of weeks. After losing to Georgia,
Alabama went to Knoxville and fell to Tennessee 26-10. For a program that expects to
compete for championships every season, two losses in a row are a major concern.
Alabama still has plenty of talent, but the team has not been able to find the
consistency needed to beat the best opponents on its schedule. Quarterback
Keelon Russell has put up solid numbers. Through the October 10 games, he
had completed 110 of 162 passes for 1,599 yards, with 12 touchdowns and two
interceptions. Those are encouraging numbers for the young quarterback, but the offense
needs to producemore in the biggest games.
The good news is that Alabama returns home this weekend to face Texas A&M. This is the
type of game the Tide need to win if they want to get their season back on track.
The Aggies will not make it easy, and Alabama cannot afford another slow start. At this point,
the Tide need to show that they can handle adversity and respond with a complete
performance.
What to watch: Alabama's offensive execution and whether the defense can limit explosive
plays against Texas A&M.
Upcoming games:
Saturday, October 24 — Texas A&M at Alabama.
Saturday, October 31 — BYE Week
Saturday, November 7 — Alabama at LSU.
#5 - LSU TIGERS
Record: 5-2 · Coming off a shutout win
LSU made a statement this past weekend with a 31-0 win over Mississippi State.
The Tigers controlled the game and gave their fans plenty to be excited about heading
into the next stretch of the season. The offense did its job, and the defense was even
more impressive, keeping Mississippi State off the scoreboard. This was the type of
performance LSU needed after a season that has hadits share of ups and downs.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt has been a major part of the offense. Through the
October 10 gameshe had thrown for 1,495 yards and 10 touchdowns, although
eight interceptions show there is still room for improvement. The Tigers will need to protect
the football better against tougher opponents. LSU now heads to Auburn for a matchup
that could tell us a lot about both teams. Auburn is coming off a huge win over Georgia,
so the Tigers will be walking into a difficult environment against a confident opponent.
This is a big opportunity for LSU to show that it can win on the road and stay in the
conversation for the SEC Championship.
What to watch: Leavitt's decisions.The defense's ability to create pressure. Can LSU handle
the atmosphere at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Upcoming games:
Saturday, October 24 — LSU at Auburn.
Saturday, October 31 — BYE Week
Saturday, November 7 — Alabama at LSU.
#4 - KENTUCKY WILDCATS
Record: 6-1 · Up after another big win
Kentucky is becoming one of the more interesting stories in the SEC this season.
The Wildcats went into Norman and defeated Oklahoma 21-13, improving to 6-1 and becoming bowl eligible. They have now won five straight games, and their
performance on the road shows that this team is capable of competing with quality
opponents.
Head coach Will Stein deserves credit for the way this team has responded throughout
the season. Kentucky has found ways to win, including games that have required patience
and a strong defensive effort. The Wildcats are not necessarily the flashiest team in the
conference, but they are finding ways to get the job done. That matters in the SEC, where
teams often have to win ugly to survive a difficult schedule. Now comes another important
stretch. Kentucky has Vanderbilt coming to Lexington before a difficult road game at
Tennessee. If the Wildcats can keep winning, they could make a legitimate push toward
the top of the conference standings.
What to watch: Kentucky's defense and whether the offense can generate enough points
against stronger SEC opponents.
Upcoming games:
Saturday, October 24 — Vanderbilt at Kentucky.
Saturday, October 31 — BYE Week
Saturday, November 7 — Kentucky at Tennessee.
#3 - TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
Record: 5-1 · Moving up
Rocky Top has plenty to celebrate this week. Tennessee defeated Alabama
26-10 in Knoxville, giving the Volunteers a major conference win and pushing them
higher in the SEC power rankings. The defense played a big part in the victory,
and the offense did enoughto take control of the game in the second half.
This was an important win for Tennessee, not only because it came against Alabama, but
because the Volunteers needed to prove they could compete with the top programs in the
country. The challenge now is to maintain that level of play. Big wins can generate a lot of
excitement, but the teams that finish near the top are the ones that take care of business
the following week. Tennessee travels to South Carolina next. The Gamecocks will be
looking to protect their home field, and the Volunteers cannot afford to overlook them. If Tennessee continues to play well on both sides of the ball, it has a real opportunity to
remain in the SEC Championship conversation.
What to watch: Tennessee's ability to maintain its defensive intensity and avoid a letdown
after the Alabama win.
Upcoming games:
Saturday, October 24 — Tennessee at South Carolina.
Saturday, October 31 — BYE Week
Saturday, November 7 — Kentucky at Tennessee.
#2 - GEORGIA BULLDOGS
Record: 6-1 · Down after upset loss
Georgia takes a step back this week after losing to Auburn 27-24 at home.
The Bulldogs entered the weekend ranked No. 1 in the country, and many expected
them to handle Auburn in Athens. Instead, turnovers and a late field goal sent Georgia to
its first loss of the season. Despite the loss, Georgia remains one of the most talented teams
in the conference. One badSaturday does not erase what the Bulldogs have accomplished,
but it does show that they arenot invincible. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has been productive
this season. Through the October 10 games, he had completed 95 of 124 passes
for 1,298 yards, 14 touchdowns, and two interceptions. His three turnovers against Auburn,
however, were a costly departure from that earlier production.
Georgia now needs to regroup. The Bulldogs have the talent and coaching to bounce back,
but the margin for error in the SEC and the College Football Playoff race is getting smaller.
Their next major challenge is the annual rivalry game against Florida in Jacksonville. That
game will be a big test of how Georgia responds to adversity.
What to watch: Stockton's ball security, the offensive line, and whether the defense can return
to its dominant form.
Upcoming games:
Saturday, October 31 — Florida vs. Georgia in Jacksonville.
Saturday, November 7 — Georgia at Ole Miss.
Saturday, November 14 — Missouri at Georgia.
#1 - OLE MISS REBELS
Record: 5-1 · Up after dominant win
Ole Miss takes the top spot in our SEC power rankings this week after an impressive
31-3 win over Missouri. The Rebels looked sharp on both sides of the ball, shutting down
a Missouri offense that had played well in recent weeks. This was the kind of performance
that makes people take notice,especially with the SEC race becoming more competitive
by the week. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has been one of the conference's most
productive passers. Through the October 10 games, he had thrown for 1,435 yards and
11 touchdowns while completing 70.1% of his passes. The Rebels have a passing game
that can stretch the field, and that makes them a difficult matchup for opposing defenses.
The biggest question for Ole Miss is whether it can keep this level of play going against
the toughest teams on its schedule. The Rebels have shown they can dominate an
opponent, but they still have some major tests ahead. Next up is a road trip to Texas.
That will be a very different challenge from the Missouri game, and Ole Miss will need
to be prepared for a motivated opponent coming off a disappointing loss to Florida.
The Rebels have put themselves in a good position, but now they need to keep winning.
What to watch: Chambliss's continued production, the defense's ability to force mistakes,
and whether Ole Miss can win a big road game.
Upcoming games:
Saturday, October 24 — Ole Miss at Texas.
Saturday, October 31 — Auburn at Ole Miss.
Saturday, November 7 — Georgia at Ole Miss.
SEC Outlook: The Road Ahead
The biggest takeaway from Week 7 is that the SEC is wide open. Georgia's loss to Auburn,
Alabama's defeat at Tennessee, and Ole Miss's dominant win over Missouri have changed the
conversation heading into Week 8. Kentucky has quietly become
one of the conference's most consistent teams, while LSU has an opportunity
to build momentum after shutting out Mississippi State. Florida also deserves
attention after its comeback win over Texas. There is still a lot of football
to be played, and the next few weeks will tell us which teams are legitimate contenders
and which teams are simply trying to stay in the race.
Games to Watch - Saturday, October 24
LSU at Auburn: Can Auburn follow up its huge win over Georgia with another victory
against a ranked-caliber opponent?
Texas A&M at Alabama: Alabama needs a win to stop the slide, but Texas A&M will be
looking for a statement of its own.
Ole Miss at Texas: A major test for the Rebels as they try to establish themselves among
the SEC's best.
Tennessee at South Carolina: Tennessee has momentum, but South Carolina will be
looking to defend its home field.
Oklahoma at Mississippi State: The Bulldogs need to bounce back after being shut out byLSU.
Vanderbilt at Kentucky: Kentucky has been one of the SEC's biggest surprises and will
look to keep its winning streak alive.
The SEC season is far from settled. One weekend can change everything, and after what we
saw this past Saturday, nobody should be surprised if Week 8 brings another round of
surprises.
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