Week 3 of college football lived up to the hype. The first four conference games met expectations, delivering two one-score games, one major upset and more signs of Florida’s decline. This opening slate of SEC matchups led to major changes in The Hustler’s Week 4 power rankings.  

1. Georgia 

Georgia defeated then-No. 15 Tennessee in a comeback thriller in Knoxville. Down 21-7 after the first quarter, the Bulldogs came alive, pulling off a 44-41 overtime win powered by a three-touchdown performance from quarterback Gunner Stockton. Although Tennessee recorded nearly 500 yards on offense, Georgia’s defense got the job done in overtime, setting up the walk-off win. This performance against Tennessee is, at this point, the best SEC win this season.   

Georgia’s next matchup won’t be any easier — after its bye week, it’s slated to play No. 14 Alabama. The Crimson Tide will present another challenge for Georgia after Alabama’s 38-14 blowout win over Wisconsin.  

2. LSU 

Death Valley roared back to life on Saturday, as LSU reminded the SEC why it’s never an easy out. The Tigers took down Florida, 20-10, behind a balanced showing on both sides of the ball. Kicker Damian Ramos drilled 45- and 47-yard field goals to repeatedly reclaim the lead and keep LSU in control early. The real story was the defense: The Tigers forced Gators quarterback DJ Lagway into five interceptions, completely disrupting Florida’s rhythm. Dashawn Spears stole the spotlight with two picks of his own, including a 58-yard interception return for a touchdown. Without that level of grit, LSU wouldn’t be sitting this high in the rankings.  

Looking ahead, the Tigers get in-state foe Southeastern Louisiana — a matchup they should dominate. While LSU will likely roll, the question is whether it can keep pace in the rankings as other SEC heavyweights take on tougher challenges.  

3. Oklahoma 

Oklahoma secured a dominant 42-3 victory at Temple with quarterback John Mateer continuing to build upon his impressive dual-threat season, posting 345 total yards with a passing and rushing touchdown in Week 3. The Sooners’ defense impressed, holding a potent Temple offense to 104 yards after the Owls had previously averaged 513.5 in their first two matchups.   

Oklahoma faces its first ranked and first in-conference opponent this weekend at home against No. 22 Auburn. The Sooners will look to continue their hot streak and assert themselves as a true SEC powerhouse.  

4. Texas A&M 

Texas A&M delivered one of this weekend’s most dramatic wins, outlasting Notre Dame, 41-40, in a thriller decided late in the fourth quarter. Le’Veon Moss ran for three scores while kicker Randy Bond kept pace with multiple clutch field goals as the Irish matched them blow-for-blow. The breakthrough came with just 13 seconds left, when Nate Boerkircher hauled in an 11-yard touchdown to tie the game. Bond’s extra point sealed it, capping off a resilient performance that showcased the Aggies’ poise under pressure.  

With Auburn coming to College Station next, the question looms: Was this win proof that the Aggies are serious contenders? 

5. Tennessee 

Tennessee lost in heartbreaking fashion at home against then-No. 5 Georgia. The Volunteers led 21-7 after the first quarter but couldn’t hold on in the second half. Quarterback Joey Aguilar produced big numbers, throwing for 371 yards and 4 touchdowns. Wide receiver Chris Brazell II continued to build on his strong start, adding 177 yards and 3 touchdowns to his season total. However, the run defense couldn’t stop Georgia’s ground game, and the Bulldogs clawed their way back. Tennessee also hurt itself by surrendering 82 penalty yards. The Vols had an opportunity to win the game with a buzzer-beating 43-yard field goal attempt, but kicker Max Gilbert missed wide right, allowing Georgia to win in overtime. 

Tennessee showed it can hang with the nation’s best, but there are defensive questions and penalty-related concerns that need to be addressed for the Volunteers to progress as a program. The Vols face a much easier opponent in UAB this week, looking to bring a win back to Rocky Top.  

6. Texas 

Texas handled business against UTEP with a 27-10 win, but the victory left more questions than answers. Quarterback Arch Manning struggled mightily, misfiring on 10 straight passes that all fell to the ground while throwing a costly red-zone interception that stalled momentum. While the Longhorns controlled the game on paper, their offensive rhythm never fully clicked, raising concerns about Manning’s confidence and command. For a team with playoff aspirations, these lapses can’t continue — especially with tougher SEC matchups looming.  

Sam Houston is next, which is a game Texas should dominate. But the real storyline isn’t the opponent — it’s whether Manning can reset mentally and find his rhythm. The next few weeks will reveal whether these offensive struggles are temporary growing pains or a deeper issue that could derail the Longhorns’ season.  

7. Vanderbilt 

Vanderbilt never trailed in its 31-7 victory against South Carolina. After allowing a score on South Carolina’s opening drive, Vanderbilt’s defense clamped down. Defensive lineman Zaylin Wood recorded a key interception off LaNorris Sellers in the red zone to flip the game’s momentum late in the first quarter. Quarterback Diego Pavia had an efficient 182 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. Although Sellers was injured early on, Vanderbilt still earned 24 unanswered points en route to a convincing win. The Commodores are now ranked No. 20 nationally and have solidified themselves as a force to be reckoned with.  

Vanderbilt will look to continue its hot start against Georgia State this upcoming weekend — a team it lost to a year ago. Barring a major upset, the Commodores will look to start 4-0 for the first time since 1984.  

8. Alabama 

Alabama cruised past Wisconsin 38-14, showcasing the offensive firepower that keeps it in the playoff conversation. Quarterback Ty Simpson led a balanced attack, with Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams turning in standout performances that stretched the Badgers’ defense all afternoon. Still, the Crimson Tide let their guard down defensively in the second half, allowing Wisconsin more success than the score might suggest. That kind of overconfidence may prove costly against elite competition.  

Fortunately for Alabama, it heads into a bye week with momentum and time to sharpen up before one of the season’s defining showdowns: Georgia. That matchup will reveal everything, including whether the Crimson Tide are title-ready or playoff pretenders. 

9. Ole Miss 

Ole Miss defeated Arkansas in a 41-35 shootout. Coming into the game as clear favorites, the matchup grew more competitive after starting quarterback Austin Simmons was sidelined with a lingering ankle injury. However, backup quarterback Trinidad Chambliss shined, completing 21 of 29 pass attempts for 353 yards and 1 passing touchdown. 

Ole Miss faces Tulane at home next week — a must-win for a program that looks to continue to rise in the rankings.  

10. Missouri 

In a weekend filled with high-scoring affairs, Missouri left its mark, dismantling Louisiana-Lafayette 52-10. The Tigers dominated from start to finish, refusing to take their foot off the gas. Running back Ahmad Hardy was the star of the show, racking up 250 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns in a breakout performance that showcased both his explosiveness and Missouri’s offensive depth. The defense matched the energy, keeping Louisiana-Lafayette out of rhythm. 

Now sitting at No. 23 in the AP poll, Missouri faces a far tougher challenge against South Carolina. Unlike last week’s rout, this matchup will demand four quarters of focus and grit. It’s the kind of test that will reveal whether Missouri is simply padding wins against weaker opponents or ready to stand tall as a true SEC contender.  

11. Auburn 

The margin of victory in Auburn’s 31-15 win over South Alabama is misleading. The Jaguars, a 1-2 Sun Belt team, recorded 310 total yards of offense, which has raised concerns about the Tigers’ defense. South Alabama also gave up two turnovers and missed two extra points, meaning the score could have looked very different if a few key plays had alternative outcomes. Quarterback Jackson Arnold threw for an inefficient 142 yards, although he did score three touchdowns. 

Auburn has a tough matchup against No. 11 Oklahoma this Saturday, marking the start of a challenging stretch of conference games.  

12. Mississippi State 

Mississippi State followed up its win over Arizona State with a victory against Alcorn State, cruising to a 63-0 shutout. The Bulldogs spread the wealth on offense, with eight different players finding the end zone in a full-team effort. The defense was also impressive, suffocating Alcorn State from start to finish to hold the Braves scoreless. It was the kind of performance that shows depth, discipline and buy-in across the roster.  

Next up is Northern Illinois, another matchup Mississippi State should control with ease. But the real tests are waiting down the line against No. 15 Tennessee and No. 10 Texas A&M. Those showdowns will reveal whether the Bulldogs are a real threat in the SEC. 

13. South Carolina 

South Carolina fell to now-No. 20 Vanderbilt in a stunning 31-7 upset at home last Saturday. Although quarterback LaNorris Sellers was injured early in the game, South Carolina’s defense had no answer for Diego Pavia and the Commodores’ offense. The Gamecocks recorded four turnovers and lost 85 yards on penalties — they simply did not play clean football.  

As South Carolina prepares for its must-win Saturday matchup against No. 23 Missouri, Gamecock fans hope for Sellers to return to full health; the team’s outlook without his dynamic playmaking ability is bleak. A second conference loss this weekend likely eliminates the Gamecocks from playoff contention.  

14. Florida 

Florida’s 20-10 loss to LSU was a frustrating case of what could have been. Quarterback DJ Lagway piled up 287 passing yards and a touchdown, but his five interceptions — including one in the final two minutes — completely unraveled the Gators’ chances. Statistically, Florida outgained LSU in both passing and total yards, yet the turnovers overshadowed any offensive progress. While the defense kept the game competitive and prevented LSU from pulling away early, the offense’s inconsistency and poor decision-making proved too costly.  

Next week, the Gators face No. 4 Miami on the road in what could be a make-or-break moment. That matchup will show whether this week’s loss was an anomaly or a sign of deeper issues.  

15. Arkansas 

The Razorbacks put up a fight against No. 13 Ole Miss last weekend, ultimately losing 41-35. Arkansas was offensively dynamic, accumulating 305 passing yards and 225 rushing yards as a team. Quarterback Taylen Green was outstanding, throwing for 305 passing yards, adding 115 yards on the ground and scoring once in the air and on the ground. Ultimately, special teams lost the game, as kicker Scott Starzyk missed two field goals.  

The Razorbacks face a more manageable opponent this weekend: Memphis. This team will look to continue building upon its offensive progress, although the Tigers’ defense has been the main driver of their success this season.  

16. Kentucky 

Kentucky may have handled Eastern Michigan 48-23, but the Wildcats still sit at the bottom of The Hustler’s power rankings. First-year quarterback Cutter Boley, making just his second collegiate start, provided a spark with 240 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Seth McGowan powered the ground game with 104 yards and 3 scores on 18 carries. The offense finally showed flashes of rhythm, but the defense’s struggles against a non-SEC opponent leave plenty of concerns heading into conference play.  

Kentucky will face South Carolina before diving into six straight SEC matchups after this upcoming bye week. If Boley continues to grow and steady the offense, the Wildcats have a chance to climb — and maybe surprise a few opponents along the way.