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. / Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Power ranking the SEC after week 8: #9 - South Carolina

The Gamecocks just put together a monster defensive performance on the road to get to 4-3. They closed out the Sooners after just over five minutes into the game, going up 21-0 in a blink of an eye.

The pass rush for Shane Beamer’s squad remains the best aspect of the team, though the physicality from their secondary is notable as well—particularly from South Carolina native Nick Emmanwori.

The offense still has some questions, though. Sellers’s completion percentage has been impressive over the last few weeks, but the Gamecocks still have yet to exceed 2.4 points per drive against any opponent not named Akron.

The Gamecocks will have a nice bye week to prepare for a home night game against Texas A&M. They’ll have to have something ready to counteract a ferocious Aggie defense, but if they’re able to pull out a win, the season could look completely different.

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