Week Two of college football brought plenty of excitement and headlines to the 16 teams of the Southeastern Conference. Vanderbilt racked up another big win, Oklahoma narrowly avoided a detrimental upset and Kentucky and Auburn suffered embarrassing losses. From Texas’s statement win in Ann Arbor to Tennessee’s dismantling of NC State, the SEC has further cemented itself as the top conference in college football. With Georgia holding firm at the top, here are The Hustler’s Week Three SEC power rankings.
1. Georgia (2-0, 0-0)
Following their decisive Week One victory over the Clemson Tigers, the Bulldogs continued their dominance with a commanding 48-3 victory over Tennessee Tech. Though the Golden Eagles were expected to be outmatched, Georgia’s performance was especially dominant. Carson Beck solidified his status as one of the nation's elite quarterbacks, racking up 242 yards and 5 touchdowns before being pulled early in the third quarter. Equally as impressive was Georgia’s defense, as it held the Golden Eagles to a mere 18 yards passing. The Bulldogs’ defensive group has yet to allow a touchdown in 2024. Until they prove otherwise, Georgia will not only stay at the top of the SEC but the entire nation.
2. Texas (2-0, 0-0)
Playing the reigning national champions, head coach Steve Sarkisian and his Longhorns not only won — they dominated, cruising to a 31-12 victory over Michigan. True freshman Ryan Wingo set the tone early with a 55-yard run, and from then on, it was all Texas. The Longhorn offense converted an impressive 8-of-10 third downs in the first half, putting the game out of reach for the Wolverines by the beginning of the second half. Pass catchers Isaiah Bond and Gunnar Helm successfully filled the void that AD Mitchell and Xavier Worthy left behind, combining for 10 catches and 149 yards as Quinn Ewers’ main targets. Texas will look to continue its dominance as the team returns home for a lighter matchup against UTSA on Saturday.
3. Alabama (2-0, 0-0)
For three quarters of Saturday’s game against South Florida, it looked as if the Crimson Tide was in serious trouble. Entering the fourth with only a one-point lead, quarterback Jalen Milroe and Alabama’s offense took off, scoring 28 points en route to a 42-16 victory. The Tide’s defense held USF to a third-down conversion rate of just 2-for-18 (11.1%), giving Milroe and Co. plenty of chances to capitalize. 17-year-old wide receiver Ryan Williams found the end zone for a third time in two games, and halfback Jamarion Miller rushed for 140 yards and a score on 9.9 yards per carry. Despite its late-game dominance, Alabama’s struggles early on reveal why many still consider it a step behind other SEC powerhouses like Texas and Georgia. The Crimson Tide will head to Madison this week as 16-point favorites over the Wisconsin Badgers.
4. Ole Miss (2-0, 0-0)
After their 76-0 win over Furman in Week One, the Rebels somehow broke more records this week against Middle Tennessee State, steamrolling the Blue Raiders to the tune of a 52-3 victory. Quarterback Jaxson Dart, who is quickly shooting up prospect rankings, started the day with 24 straight completions, breaking the SEC record previously set by Tennessee's Tee Martin in 1988. Like Georgia, Ole Miss has yet to allow a touchdown in 2024, and though it has yet to be tested by a competitive opponent, it’s hard to imagine a much better start to the season for the Rebels. Head coach Lane Kiffin’s crew will be heavy favorites once again as they travel to take on Wake Forest in Week Three.
5. Tennessee (2-0, 0-0)
Tennessee delivered a statement performance in this year’s Duke’s Mayo Classic, routing the No. 24-ranked NC State Wolfpack 51-10. First-year quarterback Nico Iamaleava flashed his dual-threat abilities, throwing for 211 yards and 2 touchdowns while running for 65 yards and another score. The Volunteers’ defense was suffocating the entire day, highlighted by former walk-on safety Will Brooks’ 85-yard pick-six. The commanding win against a quality team propelled Tennessee up a spot in our rankings this week, and it will look to impress again back home against Kent State this weekend.
6. Missouri (2-0, 0-0)
Despite a 38-0 win over the Buffalo Bulls, Missouri dropped a spot in this week’s rankings — an indicator not of the Tigers’ shortcomings but rather the SEC’s immense talent this season. While most of the offseason talk centered around quarterback Brady Cook and wide receiver Luther Burden III, the Missouri defense has stolen the spotlight thus far. They have secured back-to-back shutouts to begin the season, the first time since 1935. Still, the Tigers’ offense has been no liability. Wideout Theo Wease Jr., who snagged 13 balls for 149 yards, led the charge this week taking over as the team’s top pass-catcher after Burden III left the game with an illness. Missouri will return home this week for what should be its first real test against 24th-ranked Boston College.
7. LSU (1-1, 0-0)
After their disappointing primetime loss to USC in Week One, the Tigers returned to Death Valley this week and bounced back nicely against FCS school Nicholls State. Though LSU struggled to put the game away in the first half, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier looked fantastic, throwing for 302 yards and a whopping six touchdown passes, three of which went to senior wideout Kyren Lacy. Still, LSU mustered only 64 rushing yards on 21 carries while giving up 176 to the Colonels’ ground attack. If the Tigers want to compete with the SEC’s top teams, they will need to swiftly clean up their run game on both sides of the ball. This week, the team will travel to South Carolina to take on the Gamecocks in an SEC showdown.
8. Oklahoma (2-0, 0-0)
Oklahoma struggled in Week Two, narrowly escaping an upset against the Houston Cougars, who frankly outplayed the heavy home favorites. Houston outgained Oklahoma 318-249 in total yards as the Sooners’ offense struggled. If not for a clutch interception from free safety Robert Spears-Jennings and a late safety from Gracen Halton, the Sooners could have been on the wrong end of a shocking result. Quarterback Jackson Arnold appeared outmatched by Houston’s Donovan Smith, managing only 174 passing yards with no scores and an interception. If Arnold and the Sooners don’t turn it around next week against the Tulane Green Wave, they may find themselves surpassed by surging programs like Vanderbilt and South Carolina.
9. Vanderbilt (2-0, 0-0)
The Commodores stayed undefeated this week with a 55-0 win over FCS school Alcorn State. Quarterback Diego Pavia once again shined in the run game with 51 rushing yards and a touchdown. Defense and special teams contributed a punt-return touchdown and a pick-six to the rout. The Black and Gold certainly have momentum after this big win and their upset win over Virginia Tech last week. This upcoming Saturday, the Commodores will travel to Atlanta for their first road game of the season against Georgia State. Vanderbilt has exceeded expectations thus far, but it’ll have to get past the Panthers before facing SEC powerhouses later in the season.
10. Texas A&M (1-1, 0-0)
Texas A&M had a solid 52-10 win over McNeese State this week. 84 yards and 2 touchdowns on just nine carries highlighted running back Le’Veon Moss’s big day. Quarterback Connor Weigman tossed for two touchdowns as well. However, the team’s loss to Notre Dame in Week One looks even worse after Notre Dame’s loss to NIU in Week Two. The Aggies will have a chance to prove themselves during their first conference game of the season away at Florida on Saturday.
11. Arkansas (1-1, 0-0)
Arkansas has been rock-solid so far this season with a 70-0 blowout win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Week One and a double-overtime heartbreak to No.16 Oklahoma State 39-31 in Week Two. Senior running back Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed for 149 yards and 3 touchdowns, and the team put forth 648 yards of total offense. The Razorbacks struggled with ball security against the Cowboys, producing three turnovers. Arkansas certainly has the potential to contend in the SEC, but it needs to clean up its act first. This upcoming Saturday, Arkansas will play UAB at home before traveling to Auburn the next week for its first conference game of the season.
12. South Carolina (2-0, 1-0)
In Week One, the Gamecocks narrowly beat Old Dominion 23-19 at home despite being 20.5-point favorites. Last weekend, South Carolina thrashed Kentucky on the road in its first conference game of the season. Freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers passed for 166 yards and a touchdown, and the Gamecocks’ defense produced a score as well. This past weekend represented a sign of hope for the Gamecocks, but tougher opponents lie ahead — they’ll play No. 16 LSU at home on Saturday.
13. Florida (1-1, 0-0)
The Florida Gators got shut down by Miami at home in Week One, but they had a solid 45-7 win over Samford on Saturday. Freshman quarterback DJ Lagway had a spectacular, record-breaking performance with 456 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, and the team had an astounding 632 yards of total offense. The Gators will face Texas A&M at home this Saturday in their first conference game of the season. Head coach Billy Napier’s group will need to improve its defense after allowing 529 yards of total offense against Miami.
14. Kentucky (1-1, 0-1)
The Wildcats suffered an abysmal 31-6 loss at home to South Carolina in Week Two. They struggled offensively, only producing 183 yards of total offense as two different quarterbacks both threw interceptions. Penalties were also an issue, as they had 11 miscues that accounted for a loss of 63 yards. Next week, top-ranked Georgia will travel to Lexington, Ky. as 24-point favorites. After a rough weekend, transfer quarterback Brock Vandagriff will need to step up if he wants the Wildcats to compete against his former team.
15. Auburn (1-1, 0-0)
The Tigers suffered a disappointing 21-14 loss at home against Cal this past weekend. Head coach Hugh Freeze’s squad had an issue with ball security, as the team had five total turnovers, led by quarterback Payton Thorne’s four interceptions. The Tigers’ final two possessions of the game ended with interceptions despite a bevy of opportunities to tie it up. Auburn played somewhat well defensively, allowing just 332 yards of total offense to the Bears. The Tigers are heavy favorites at home against New Mexico this upcoming weekend, which should give them plenty of time to prepare for their first conference game against Arkansas on Sept. 21.
16. Mississippi State (1-1, 0-0)
The Mississippi State Bulldogs sit at the bottom of our rankings this week, and as unfortunate as that is, they can only go up from here. The 30-3 third quarter score was indicative of early struggles against Arizona State from head coach Jeff Lebby and Co. The Bulldogs rallied and scored three unanswered touchdowns, but their efforts ultimately fell short as they ran out of time. Mississippi State’s ground game struggled, producing a measly 24 yards on 27 carries. The Bulldogs will need to clean up their act before conference play starts with five teams currently ranked in the top seven of the AP Poll on their schedule.
