SEC rankings: Big games before LSU-Alabama

It is abundantly clear that the two best teams in the SEC are LSU and Alabama — not necessarily in that order.

Which one is better? That question will be answered on Nov. 7 when the two meet in Tuscaloosa.

While LSU should have it relatively easy with a home game against Western Kentucky on Saturday, the Crimson Tide faces an interesting challenge when it plays host to Tennessee. They each have open dates on Oct. 31.

Meanwhile, Ole Miss continues to slide down the rankings. The Rebels ascended to No. 1 in the SEC after beating Alabama on Sept. 19 and held that spot for two weeks but now have lost to Florida and Memphis in the span of three weeks.

And now Ole Miss faces a Texas A&M team that is coming off a loss to Alabama.

It's going to be an interesting weekend.

Until then, here are the weekly rankings of the SEC from bottom to top:

No. 14: Vanderbilt (2-4, 0-3)

On one hand, you can’t blame Commodores coach Derek Mason for sticking with Johnny McCrary at quarterback. Last year, Mason started four different quarterbacks and the offense never found any traction.

On the other hand, when McCrary commits four turnovers, as he did in the 19-10 loss at South Carolina, it may be time to look at Wade Freebeck as an alternative.

Mason admitted he considered making the switch in the loss on Saturday but ultimately stuck with McCrary.

“I’m trying to win,” Mason said. “I felt like Johnny gave us the best chance.”

It didn’t work out, though. The Commodores took a lead into the second half but couldn’t hold it.

Next up: Missouri, at Nashville.

No. 13: South Carolina (3-4, 1-4)

While there were many mixed emotions about Steve Spurrier’s abrupt resignation last week, there was no question where Shawn Elliott stood.

At the outset of his first game as South Carolina’s interim coach, Elliott paid tribute to Spurrier by raising a visor to the sky as he led the Gamecocks onto the field last Saturday. After the game, he nearly broke down while talking about the impact the Head Ball Coach had on his career.

If Elliott is to have any chance of getting the head coaching job on a permanent basis, the Gamecocks need to close strong. That’s going to be a challenge. After an open date this weekend, they play at Texas A&M and have upcoming games with Tennessee, Florida and Clemson.

For the moment, though, Elliott is 1-0.

Next up: Open date.

No. 12: Missouri (4-3, 1-3)

The Tigers’ offensive issues are clear after the unit failed to score a touchdown for the second straight game in a 9-6 loss to Georgia.

The issues begin up front. The offensive line simply is not very good. Although running back Russell Hansbrough appears close to 100 percent, he gained only 24 yards on 11 carries against the Dawgs, with a long run of just five yards.

As the Tigers played catch-up late, quarterback Drew Lock had no time to pass.

With four senior starters, nobody expected Mizzou’s offensive line to struggle like this.

On the plus side: Mizzou’s defense continues to hold up its end of the bargain – and then some. The Tigers held Georgia to 298 yards.

Next up: Vanderbilt, at Nashville.

No. 11: Kentucky (4-2, 2-2)

There is no question that the Wildcats program is greatly improved under Mark Stoops. Food for thought: Kentucky is eight points away from being unbeaten and in sole possession of the top spot in the SEC East.

Just the same, the loss to Auburn last week is another reminder that the next step for the Big Blue is to learn how to close out games. Until that happens, progress up the standings is going to be difficult.

With six games remaining, the defense took a hit with news that senior nose tackle Melvin Lewis is out for the remainder of the regular season with a broken bone in his leg. Stoops said it is possible Lewis could return for a bowl game — assuming the Wildcats qualify.

Next up: Mississippi State, at Starkville.

No. 10 Auburn (4-2, 1-2)

The Tigers offense regained its big-play identity in the 30-27 victory over Kentucky, perhaps indicating that better days are ahead.

“We got into a rhythm and probably for the first time all year looked like an Auburn offense, so that’s encouraging,” said coach Gus Malzahn.

In particular, the Tigers made plays with redshirt freshman quarterback Sean White finding senior wideout Ricardo Louis in gaps in the Kentucky defense.

White and Louis both had career-bests in yardage in the first game following star receiver D’haquille Williams’ dismissal from the team. Louis had five catches for 114 yards. His 27- and 41-yard receptions on Auburn’s first two possessions set up touchdowns.

Next up: Arkansas, at Fayetteville.

No. 9 Tennessee (3-3, 1-2)

Injuries forced the Vols to go young in the offensive line in the victory over Georgia two weeks ago, but what does that mean entering a trip to Alabama?

With all due respect to Georgia’s defensive front, it doesn’t compare to what the Crimson Tide will throw at the Vols. It’s a tall order for Jack Jones and Chance Hall, who played so well against the Bulldogs.

Tennessee’s offensive line has been hamstrung by injuries for much of the season. Guard Jason Robertson has dealt with an ankle problem. Mack Crowder, who has played both center and guard, left the Georgia game due to an ankle injury.

Vols brace for 'impressive' Alabama defense

Right tackle Brett Kendrick didn’t play at all against Georgia due to an elbow injury.

It remains to be seen who will comprise the starting five against Alabama.

Next up: Alabama, at Tuscaloosa.

No. 8 Arkansas (2-4, 1-2)

It is of little consolation to the Razorbacks or their fans that their four losses this season are to teams with a combined record of 19-3.

That has done little to quiet criticism of Bret Bielema, whose three-year record against SEC competition now stands at 3-16. But Bielema doesn’t seem to spend much time listening to sports talk radio or checking out message boards.

“Bring it on, baby,” he said. “It’s just what it is when you’re 2-4.”

The Hogs need to win four more games to become eligible for a bowl. It’s a similar situation to last season when Arkansas did what was necessary to get to the Texas Bowl, where the Hogs beat Texas 31-7 to finish 7-6.

“I want to speed this process up as fast as I can,” Bielema said.

Next up: Auburn, at Fayetteville.

No. 7 Georgia (5-2, 3-2)

In a struggle against Missouri, it became clear just how much Nick Chubb meant to the Dawgs offense. Without him, Georgia was limited to just nine points. It was the first time the Dawgs have won a game without scoring a touchdown since 1995.

“It really goes down to basics,” coach Mark Richt said. “It’s hard to be consistent unless you block well and I think it all starts with that.”

Quarterback Greyson Lambert continues to struggle with consistency. After the Missouri game, he described his play this season as “a rollercoaster.”

Lambert was 23-of-32 for 178 yards against the Tigers. He threw one interception and at least three more throws came close to being picked off.

Next up: Open date.

No. 6 Ole Miss (5-2, 2-1)

When defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche was scoring touchdowns, it looked like a good idea to have him moonlighting as a fullback on offense.

When he was knocked out of the loss to Memphis with a concussion while being tackled, with his head slamming to the turf, it no longer looked like such a great idea.

It’s been that kind of stretch of football for the Rebels. After opening 4-0 and winning at Alabama, Ole Miss has lost two of three games, with Texas A&M headed to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium this weekend.

And just when left tackle Laremy Tunsil is scheduled to return following a seven-game suspension by the NCAA, the Rebels lost center Robert Conyers with a torn ACL. Justin Bell will replace him.

Next up: Texas A&M, at Oxford.

No. 5 Mississippi State (5-2, 1-2)

Dak Prescott has been so good for so long that it’s easy to take him for granted.

When the Bulldogs fell behind Louisiana Tech 14-0, Prescott never flinched and his teammates followed his lead. Mississippi State turned things around and won going away 45-20.

“It’s great having a guy that when you fall down 14-0 at home, he’s like, ‘OK, let’s go. Not a big deal. Let’s go make plays,’ ” said State coach Dan Mullen.

Prescott completed 30-of-43 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown. And in case you were wondering, no, he did not throw an interception. That makes 225 passes this season without a pick.

His Heisman Trophy candidacy may have been undermined by the Bulldogs’ two losses, but he is still having a remarkable season.

Next up: Kentucky, at Starkville.

No. 4 Texas A&M (5-1, 2-1)

The Aggies failed to play up to all the pre-game hype and were abused by Alabama as their offense failed to deliver and the defense couldn’t stop the run.

A&M quarterback Kyle Allen threw three interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. Backup Kyler Murray also threw an interception.

With seven games, including six SEC games, remaining, the Aggies must regroup.

“This is where maturity really comes into play,” said A&M coach Kevin Sumlin. “Here’s where really leadership of the team comes into play. We still have all our goals in front of us. … Let’s go to the second half of the season.”

Next up: Ole Miss, at Oxford.

No. 3 Florida (6-1, 4-1)

If Treon Harris keeps playing like he did against LSU, the Gators should hang onto the top spot in the SEC East and play for the conference championship on Dec. 5.

Harris threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns in the seven-point loss to LSU. He almost had a third scoring pass when he put the ball into the hands of Antonio Callaway in the end zone, but LSU’s Dwyane Thomas knocked it loose to prevent the touchdown.

Harris was under heat most of the evening. LSU defenders were constantly in the Florida backfield and sacked Harris five times, three by Lewis Neal.

The deciding touchdown came when the Tigers converted a fake field goal.

“They had to fake a field goal to beat us,” said Gators coach Jim McElwain. “They made a helluva play.”

Next up: Open date.

No. 2 Alabama (6-1, 3-1)

It’s no secret that the Crimson Tide defense is exceptional. Just ask Texas A&M.

But Alabama’s offense is rounding into shape. Quarterback Jake Coker has settled in. Receivers continue to play well. The offensive line had a brilliant first half against the Aggies, opening up gaping holes in the running game while also protecting Coker.

And then there is Derrick Henry. In a conference marked by so many talented running backs, he is one of the very best.

Henry ran for a career-high 236 yards against Texas A&M, scoring two touchdowns. Unlike previous games, he did not get to split carries with Kenyan Drake, who didn’t play much in the second half after taking a helmet to the thigh. Drake finished with just 11 yards on five carries.

Next up: Tennessee, at Tuscaloosa.

No. 1 LSU (6-0, 4-0)

It takes a lot to upstage Leonard Fournette.

Trent Domingue did it — at least momentarily. The LSU kicker scored on a 16-yard run on a fake field goal in the Tigers’ 35-28 victory over Florida. It was LSU’s only scoring play of the second half.

Credit the Mad Hatter for converting yet another late-game gamble that broke a 28-28 tie. Les Miles considered it a calculated risk.

“We studied it and kind of felt like it was there,” Miles said.

Practice makes perfect. Miles indicated the way the LSU field goal unit sold the fake during practice convinced him it would work against the Gators.

“They were great at it all week,” he said.

Speaking of great, Fournette had a big day against Florida’s strong defense, running for 180 yards and two touchdowns.

Next up: Western Kentucky, at Baton Rouge.