The SEC began the college football season with six ranked teams in the AP Poll. Both Tennessee and Florida would jump into the week two rankings after week one victories, upping the SEC’s total of ranked teams to eight.
Heading into week three, the SEC still has the same eight teams ranked in the AP Top 25 poll. However, after a few big upsets in the league, there has definitely been some movement.
Tennessee jumps up nine spots after an overtime win against No. 17 Pittsburgh. While the Vols’ win wasn’t the prettiest victory, the game in Pittsburgh was undoubtedly a statement win, reflected in the standings. The Vols pass Texas A&M, Florida, and Ole Miss while jumping into the Top 15.
Kentucky and Florida squared off in an early SEC East battle on Saturday with the Wildcats taking the victory on the road. Kentucky is the biggest riser from the league in the week three rankings as they move up 11 spots into the Top 10.
On the flip side, it was the Texas A&M Aggies that had a disastrous week two and are now clinging to the bottom of the Top 25 rankings. The Aggies plummeted 18 spots from No. 6 to No. 24 after a home loss to Appalachian State.
And lastly, we have a new No. 1 in the nation. After a near-loss to unranked Texas on the road this weekend, Alabama has fallen out of the top spot and into the No. 2 slot. The Georgia Bulldogs are now in control of the nation’s No. 1 ranking.
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The eight SEC teams ranked in the Ap Top 25 Week Three poll are as follows:
No. 1 (1,561 points)
- Georgia Bulldogs (2-0)
- Previous Ranking: 2
- Previous Matchup: def. Samford 33-0
- Next Matchup: @ South Carolina (1-1)
No. 2 (1,496 points)
- Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0)
- Previous Ranking: 1
- Previous Matchup: def. Texas 20-19
- Next Matchup: vs UL Monroe (2-1)
No. 9 (992 points)
- Kentucky Wildcats (2-0, 1-0 SEC)
- Previous Ranking: 20
- Previous Matchup: def. No. 12 Florida 26-16
- Next Matchup: vs Youngstown St. (2-0)
No. 10 (938 points)
- Arkansas Razorbacks (2-0, 1-0 SEC)
- Previous Ranking: 16
- Previous Matchup: def. South Carolina 44-30
- Next Matchup: vs Missouri State (2-0)
No. 15 (658 points)
- Tennessee Volunteers (2-0)
- Previous Ranking: 24
- Previous Matchup: def. No. 17 Pittsburgh 34-27/OT
- Next Matchup: vs Akron (1-1)
No. 18 (484 points)
- Florida Gators (1-1, 0-1 SEC)
- Previous Ranking: 12
- Previous Matchup: lost to No. 20 Kentucky 26-16
- Next Matchup: vs South Florida (1-1)
No. 20 (411 points)
- Ole Miss Rebels (2-0)
- Previous Ranking: 22
- Previous Matchup: def. Central Arkansas 59-3
- Next Matchup: @ Georgia Tech (1-1)
No. 24 (145 points)
- Texas A&M Aggies (1-1)
- Previous Ranking: 6
- Previous Matchup: lost to Appalachian St. 17-14
- Next Matchup: vs No. 13 Miami (2-0)
SEC teams receiving votes: Mississippi State (43), Auburn (4)
