SEC power ranking shakeup after week 8: Contenders emerging and pretenders exposed

Texas A&M football's prospects at claiming the SEC crown continue to rise, but Georgia is top dog in this week's SEC power rankings.

Georgia celebrate a touchdown in the first quarter of the Longhorns' game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Oct. 19, 2024.
Georgia celebrate a touchdown in the first quarter of the Longhorns' game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Oct. 19, 2024. | Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Power ranking the SEC after week 8: #12 - Mississippi State

I guess the second half against Georgia was less a fluke and more of a display of progress with Jeff Lebby’s team. A squad that looked anemic for much of the year now has turned the corner in offensive execution, which has to be encouraging for State fans.

There are still obvious holes and big questions about consistency with this team, but they’re beginning to click on the offensive side of the ball. Against Texas A&M, they allowed an extremely high havoc rate, which is not a recipe for success. However, when the havoc plays weren’t present, they looked crisp in their execution.

The proof of concept is beginning to manifest on that side of the ball, even though the defense still has plenty of issues. State will have another opportunity here this weekend against Arkansas—with the way the Hogs are playing, I might be inclined to favor the Bulldogs.

Schedule

Schedule