The latest SEC Power Rankings from On3, utilizing the On3 Massey Ratings, are in after Week 14 of the college football regular season.
The On3 Massey Ratings – which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated high school sports team rankings since 1995 – rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.
So without further ado, let’s examine this week’s edition following Week 14.
It was a struggle, but Texas came out on top of rival Texas A&M to secure a berth in the SEC Championship Game. And what a showing it was for the Texas defense, which pitched a shutout — the only points for the Aggies came on a 93-yard pick-six.
Texas and Georgia have jockeyed for the top spot in the SEC Power Rankings for a couple weeks now, ever since Alabama took a third loss. They’ll get the chance to settle it on the field on Saturday with a first-round bye in the playoffs on the line.
Already locked into the SEC Championship Game, Georgia nearly got caught looking ahead in its regular season finale against rival Georgia Tech. Instead, the Bulldogs outlasted the Yellow Jackets 44-42 in eight overtimes.
Georgia is likely into the playoffs at this point, barring a catastrophic loss in the SEC Championship Game. Would you expect anything less from a Kirby Smart squad? Georgia is the model of consistency in the CFP era.
Alabama showed its dominance again versus its in-state rival, taking command early and then holding onto the game with an iron grip despite some sloppiness from the offense. The Crimson Tide will have to clean up the turnovers, which have been a problem of late, should they earn a playoff berth.
For now, it’s a waiting game for the Crimson Tide. They’re likely to be right around the playoff cut line, and any bid-stealers in conference championship games could really hurt Alabama.
With a 36-23 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday, Tennessee essentially locked up a playoff spot. The Volunteers are solidly in the single digits of the CFP rankings, and not having to play another game should ensure they stay there.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava was extra sharp in the win on Saturday, throwing for 257 yards and four touchdowns. If he plays like that throughout the playoffs, coupled with a stifling defense, Tennessee will be an incredibly tough out.
In one of the less inspiring results of the week, Ole Miss somewhat quietly clawed past rival Mississippi State. The Bulldogs had a good defensive scheme against quarterback Jaxson Dart, limiting him to 143 yards passing in the game.
The Rebels were able to overcome the strength of their offense being limited with a nice outing from the run game. They piled up 254 yards rushing, including 136 by Ulysses Bentley IV, to power to the win.
It took every bit of four quarters for South Carolina to finally get past Clemson, but the Gamecocks made the plays they needed to down the stretch to secure a monster win. It’s one that should put the Gamecocks right around the edge of the playoff cut line.
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers was fantastic throughout with his ability to extend plays. It was his 20-yard touchdown run in the final stretch that proved the difference in the win over Clemson.
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier fought through an injury and returned to the game to help LSU stomp Oklahoma in the regular-season finale, finishing 8-4. Though there were some missed opportunities for the Tigers throughout the year, it was a solid finish after a real shaky period.
Nussmeier threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns in the win over the Sooners. Receiver Chris Hilton Jr. caught two passes for 85 yards and a pair of touchdowns, helping lead the charge.
Texas A&M was off-kilter all night against Texas, unable to figure out an absolutely stifling Longhorns defense. Quarterback Marcel Reed threw for just 146 yards and had an interception in the contest. He was also the leading rusher, with 60 of the Aggies’ 102 yards on the ground.
All in all it was a solid first season for coach Mike Elko, though perhaps one that will feel like a missed opportunity. The Aggies could have played their way into the playoffs with a win over Texas and a win in the SEC title game.
Missouri is another team that has bounced around the SEC Power Rankings quite a bit this year and has entertained playoff hopes at various points. Those hopes died with a third loss, but Missouri has responded nicely since.
On Saturday, the Tigers came from behind in the second half to take down the Arkansas Razorbacks, doing so on a day when quarterback Brady Cook was kept in check through the air. The Tigers ran for 193 yards in the contest against the Razorbacks.
Florida capped its regular season with a third straight win, taking down rival Florida State comfortably. The team’s defense has really emerged of late despite missing a lot of bodies due to injury. Florida rallied for eight sacks and five fumble recoveries in the game against Florida State.
The Gators, who have now secured their first winning season under third-year coach Billy Napier, will look to bowl season for a chance to further add to the momentum. Quarterback DJ Lagway gives the program a lot to build around.
SEC Power Rankings: 11-16
11. Oklahoma Sooners -2
12. Arkansas Razorbacks
13. Auburn Tigers
14. Vanderbilt Commodores +1
15. Kentucky Wildcats -1
16. Mississippi State Bulldogs
There weren’t many changes in the lower third of the SEC Power Rankings, with Oklahoma dropping back two spots following a loss that dropped it to 6-6 on the year. Vanderbilt also managed to pass Kentucky after making it a reasonably competitive contest against Tennessee, all while Kentucky got walloped by Louisville. Mississippi State continues to bring up the rear.
