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Power ranking the SEC after revealing week one: Favorites plummet and underdogs rise

Here's how the SEC power rankings shake out following week one's action.
ByGraham Harmon|
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker C.J. Hicks (11) pressures Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Ohio State won 14-7.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker C.J. Hicks (11) pressures Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Ohio State won 14-7. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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SEC power rankings after week 1 - 14: Mississippi State

Well, they at least exceeded my expectations! I didn’t think it was all that likely that State would lose to Southern Miss, but I didn’t think they would blow them out.

USM isn’t a good team at all (127th in FBS in preseason SP+), but it still has to feel great for Jeff Lebby’s squad to start off with such an emphatic victory. Things will only get harder from here, of course, but it’s always good to start your season off on a high note like this.

Blake Shapen looked pretty good, and he’ll need to stay pretty sharp if the Bulldogs hope to exceed last year’s win total. They’ll have one heck of a test next week against Arizona State— last year’s Big 12 champion was a team that the Bulldogs took to the wire in 2024, so it would be quite a statement if they took home the victory this time.

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