SEC football power rankings: Georgia, Texas lead the pack after pivotal Week 4
The SEC flexed its muscle on the biggest Saturday of the college football season so far, with four of the six matchups between ranked teams featuring conference rivals. After Week 4, the pecking order is starting to come into focus in what looks like the deepest league in the country.
Who are the SEC favorites right now?
Georgia remains the team to beat. The Bulldogs rolled past Oklahoma 41-13 to improve to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play. That 28-point margin was actually Georgia's closest game of the season. Quarterback Gunner Stockton went 14-of-25 for 171 yards and one touchdown, and for the first time this year he now has more incompletions than scoring passes.
Texas escaped Knoxville with a 20-17 win over Tennessee, though the Volunteers' late onside kick attempt raised some eyebrows about its legality. The Longhorns and Bulldogs don't meet in the regular season, but a potential SEC championship showdown is very much on the table.
Don't count out Alabama. The Crimson Tide dominated South Carolina 49-18 as Keelon Russell threw for 365 yards and four touchdowns. Russell has become an instant star in his first year as the starter, and receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams hauled in five catches for 98 yards and two scores. Alabama hosts Georgia in two weeks in a game that could reshape the conference race.
Which SEC team is rising fast?
Florida made a serious statement with a 52-28 rout of Ole Miss. The Gators' ground game looked unstoppable, and Jadan Baugh continued his remarkable season with 29 carries for 142 yards. He now has 11 rushing touchdowns on the year. Florida was picked ninth in the SEC's preseason media poll, but with games against Georgia and Texas coming in October, we're about to find out just how real this team is.
Which SEC teams can still recover from an early loss?
Nobody should write off these squads yet, but they're a step behind the top four because they already have a conference loss on the resume.
Ole Miss still has its Week 3 win over LSU, which could matter in tiebreaker scenarios late in the season. LSU bounced back in a big way Saturday night with a blowout win over Texas A&M.
Tennessee freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon had a rough welcome-to-the-SEC moment against Texas, completing just 17 of 29 passes for 145 yards while under constant pressure. He should improve, and the Vols still have a path to a nine-win season.
Which SEC teams are still hard to figure out?
Mississippi State is 4-0 after a 31-24 win over the Tigers, rallying from a 14-0 deficit and outscoring their opponent 14-0 in the fourth quarter. It's the first time since 1944-45 that MSU has started back-to-back seasons with four straight wins. But the Bulldogs finished last year at 5-8, so skepticism is fair. With Kamario Taylor settled in at quarterback, this year could be different.
Kentucky made a statement with its Week 3 win over Texas A&M and should be favored against South Carolina in Week 5. The real test comes in Week 6 against No. 10 LSU. Win that one, and the Wildcats are legitimately in the conversation.
Auburn took down Vanderbilt as Byrum Brown threw for a touchdown and ran for another. Both teams face brutal schedules ahead and might end up playing spoiler roles.
Whose playoff hopes are already over?
It's hard to see how Texas A&M or Oklahoma factors into the playoff picture now that both sit at 2-2. The Aggies have been soundly beaten in back-to-back weeks, and the Sooners' offense can't get out of its own way. After opening with a 51-0 win over UTEP, Oklahoma has scored just six times while committing nine turnovers.
Which SEC teams are already looking toward 2027?
South Carolina might not be favored again until a Nov. 14 trip to Arkansas. That says just about everything about where these two programs stand. After Kentucky visits in Week 5, the Gamecocks face Florida and Tennessee.
Arkansas fans are already in a somber mood, and a 34-6 win over Tulsa on Saturday probably didn't lift the spirits much. A win at Texas A&M next week would change the conversation quickly.
Biggest winners from Week 4
Boise State is now the clear favorite for the Group of Six playoff spot. The Broncos cruised past Western Michigan 32-7, scoring in every quarter and holding the Broncos' offense to just 223 total yards. Maddux Madsen threw for 204 yards and three touchdowns, while Dylan Riley rushed 28 times for 138 yards and a score. If the American Conference doesn't produce a dominant team, Boise State could reach the playoff even with two losses.
Wisconsin improved to 3-1 with a 24-20 win over No. 13 Penn State. An eight-win season suddenly looks realistic, with USC and Iowa the only ranked teams left on the schedule. Could 8-4 save Luke Fickell's job? It's looking more possible after Saturday.
UCF opened Big 12 play with a big win, beating TCU 21-13 without starting quarterback Alonza Barnett. Backup Keyone Jenkins was remarkably efficient, going 19-of-20 for 160 yards with a touchdown. Taevion Swint and Landen Chambers also scored on the ground.
Biggest losers from Week 4
Colorado is in serious trouble. The Buffaloes lost 23-13 to Baylor, one week after a 41-7 thrashing at Northwestern. That's just 20 points over the last two games. Coach Deion Sanders turned to Isaac Wilson after JuJu Lewis managed only 75 yards on 11-of-16 passing. Wilson finished 12-of-25 for 156 yards and a score, but it came too late. With Texas Tech and Utah up next, a 2-4 start looks very likely.
No. 16 Louisville saw its ACC title hopes take a major hit with a 30-27 home loss to Wake Forest. The Cardinals gave up 21 points in the second quarter and were shut out in the fourth, thanks to a turnover on downs and two missed field goals. Carson Hilbert missed a game-tying 42-yard attempt with 2:29 left, and Nick Keller's 57-yard try was blocked with 15 seconds remaining.
Maryland had a nightmare day at home, losing 54-3 to UCLA. Malik Washington threw four interceptions and Kaleb Webb lost a fumble as nothing went right. UCLA rushed for 266 yards and four touchdowns as a team. Unless things turn around quickly, the Terrapins might be looking for a new coach in 2027.
What does this mean for Iowa fans?
While the SEC dominates the national conversation, Iowa fans know the Big Ten race is just as important. The Hawkeyes remain one of only two ranked teams left on Wisconsin's schedule, which means that matchup could have major implications for the Big Ten West race and the College Football Playoff picture. With the SEC looking this strong, the Hawkeyes will need to keep winning to stay in the conversation for a playoff spot.