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: #11 - Vanderbilt

We’ve learned from the Georgia State result earlier this season to not doubt Diego Pavia and the Commodores, even when you see a game that was closer than it should have been against a low-quality opponent. I’m sure they would have rather beaten Ball State by more than 10 points, but you have to win your clunkers.

Now, Vandy gets a chance to host another highly-ranked team coming off of a home game against Georgia. I can’t say it’s exactly likely that they pull off another huge upset, but there’s something to the whole body-blow theory.

This team remains dangerous, is all I mean. Pavia, Stowers, and company can make things really annoying for opposing teams with their triple option-like attack, and for a team coming off of a physical game against the Bulldogs, that can be tiring to deal with.

The Commodores only need one more win to make it to bowl eligibility. While it’s unlikely that they get there this weekend, their chances are good—something that I didn’t think would be the case at the beginning of the season.