SEC Power Rankings: New No. 1 team atop conference after Week 5 upsets

A new No. 1 team sits atop the latest SEC power rankings after a Week 5 loaded with significant results.

Coming into this past week, we knew that the Week 5 SEC football slate was among the biggest of the season, and well, the schedule Saturday certainly did not disappoint.

Headlined by two ranked matchups, both of those Top 25 showdowns delivered upset results in which the highest-ranked team fell, with a few other games across the conference nearly delivering upsets as well.

Results that certainly caught the attention of the college football world, just how did those results affect our SEC power rankings?

An update that sees a significant amount of movement, here are the latest SEC power rankings entering Week 6.

16. Kentucky Wildcats

Sep 27, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Cutter Boley (8) looks to pass against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 16

We begin this week again with the Kentucky Wildcats, who fell on the road at South Carolina by a final score of 35-13. In the loss, Kentucky was out-gained in total yardage by the Gamecocks, 341-232, and struggled with turnovers by committing four total.

The Wildcats are now 2-2 overall (0-2 SEC) entering a road trip to Georgia.

15. Florida Gators

Sep 20, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks on from the field against the Miami Hurricanes during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 15

Florida was the first-of-three SEC teams' to not play this past weekend due to a bye week.

Riding a three-game losing streak, Florida sits at 1-3 overall (0-1 SEC) ahead of a massive home game this weekend against Texas.

14. Arkansas Razorbacks

Sep 27, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) rushes during the fourth quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Notre Dame won 56-13. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 14

Arkansas suffered its' third consecutive loss this past Saturday afternoon in Fayetteville, falling to Notre Dame by a final score of 56-13 in a game that was simply never close. In the loss, Arkansas carried a 42-13 deficit into halftime, and were also out-gained in total yardage a combined 641-365, allowing over 400+ yards through the air.

The Razorbacks enter a bye week riding a three-game losing streak at 2-3 overall (0-1 SEC).

13. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State tight end Seydou Traore (8) runs the ball while defended by Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter (7) during a college football game between Tennessee and Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., on Sept. 27, 2025.

  • Previous Ranking: No. 13

Mississippi State nearly got a big SEC win this past Saturday, falling just short against Tennessee at home by a final score of 41-34 in overtime. In the loss, the Bulldogs were led by a strong game from running back Fluff Bothwell, who had 134 yards and two touchdowns on 23 attempts.

Following their first loss this season, the Bulldogs now sit at 4-1 overall (0-1 SEC) ahead of a road trip to Texas A&M.

12. Auburn Tigers

Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) celebrates after making a tackle during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 11

Auburn suffered its' second consecutive loss Saturday on the road at Texas A&M, falling by a final score of 16-10. In the loss, the Tigers struggled mightily on offense, as Auburn was out-gained in terms of total yardage, 414-155, and went a combined 0-for-14 on third-and-fourth downs overall.

The Tigers now sit at 3-2 overall (0-2 SEC) entering a bye week.

11. South Carolina Gamecocks

Sep 27, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) scrambles against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 12

South Carolina was dominant at times during a 35-13 home win over Kentucky on Saturday night, a game in which the Gamecocks carried a 28-10 lead into halftime. The Gamecocks defense forced four turnovers in the contest, while quarterback LaNorris Sellers also had a strong showing in the South Carolina win.

Now sitting at 3-2 overall (1-2 SEC), South Carolina enters a bye week.

10. Missouri Tigers

Sep 20, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) throws a pass against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 10

Missouri was playing in nonconference action this past Saturday, routing Massachusetts at home by a final score of 42-6. This was simply a dominant showing, one in which Missouri out-gained the Minutemen in total yardage, 521-124.

As a result, Missouri remains undefeated at 5-0 overall (1-0 SEC) entering a bye week.

9. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) runs the ball against Utah State during the third quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

  • Previous Ranking: No. 9

Vanderbilt remained undefeated Saturday with yet another impressive offensive performance, defeating Utah State at home by a final score of 55-35. Out-gaining the Aggies in total yardage, 543-393, Vanderbilt pulled away with a big third quarter, and were led by a strong performance from quarterback Diego Pavia who accounted for six total touchdowns, five of which were passing.

The Commodores will come to Alabama this upcoming weekend undefeated at 5-0 overall (1-0 SEC).

8. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) points toward the Tennessee fans after the Vols defeated Mississippi State in overtime at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., on Sept. 27, 2025.

  • Previous Ranking: No. 5

Tennessee survived a potential upset Saturday in Starkville, escaping with a 41-34 overtime win over Mississippi State. A back-and-forth contest, Tennessee racked up 466 yards of total offense in the win, and despite struggles with turnovers, were able to come away with a big win.

The Volunteers are now 4-1 overall (1-1 SEC) entering a bye week.

7. Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) warms up before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.

  • Previous Ranking: No. 7

Oklahoma was the second SEC team to not play this past Saturday due to a bye week.

The Sooners are undefeated at 4-0 overall (1-0 SEC) ahead of a home matchup against Kent State.

6. LSU Tigers

Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) and running back Harlem Berry (22) react after a touchdown run during the fourth quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 3

LSU suffered its' first loss of the 2025 season this past Saturday, falling on the road at Ole Miss by a final score of 24-19. This was a rough showing from the LSU offense in particular, as the Tigers compiled only 254 total yards in the loss, 197 of which came through the passing game.

The Tigers now sit at 4-1 overall (1-1 SEC) entering a bye week.

5. Texas A&M Aggies

Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) runs with the ball as Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) attempts to make a tackle during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 4

Texas A&M remained undefeated Saturday afternoon with a 16-10 home win over the visiting Auburn Tigers. This was an impressive performance from the Aggies defense, as Texas A&M limited Auburn to only 155 yards of total offense while racking up 414 themselves, led by 139 yards and a touchdown rushing from Le'Veon Moss.

The Aggies now sit at 4-0 overall (1-0 SEC) ahead of a home game against Mississippi State.

4. Texas Longhorns

Sep 13, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up before a game against the Texas El Paso Miners at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 2

Texas was the third, and final, SEC team to not play Saturday due to a bye week.

The Longhorns are 3-1 overall ahead of their SEC opener this weekend, which is a road trip to Florida.

3. Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia Bulldogs running back Chauncey Bowens (33) moves the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

  • Previous Ranking: No. 1

Georgia suffered its' first loss of the 2025 season this past weekend at home, falling to Alabama by a final score of 24-21. The Bulldogs fell behind early in the loss by a score of 24-14 at halftime, but did make things interesting in the second half, in part due to success on the ground with 227 rushing yards.

Now sitting at 3-1 overall (1-1 SEC), Georgia will return to action this Saturday at home against Kentucky.

2. Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss players celebrate with the Magnolia Bowl trophy after a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Ole Miss defeated LSU 24-19.

  • Previous Ranking: No. 6

The Ole Miss Rebels picked up one of the SEC's biggest wins this past weekend, defeating LSU at home by a final score of 24-19. A game in which the Rebels held a 17-7 lead at halftime, Ole Miss out-gained LSU in total yardage, 480-254, and despite struggling with penalties and turnovers, were still able to pickup the win with defensive play.

Ole Miss remains undefeated at 5-0 overall (3-0 SEC) entering a bye week.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Horton (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 8

Alabama had likely the SEC's biggest victory in Week 5, going into Athens to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs by a final score of 24-21. A game in which the Crimson Tide owned a 24-14 advantage at halftime, Alabama was led by solid performance once again from quarterback Ty Simpson, who accounted for three touchdowns, while also impressing on third downs overall offensively.

The Crimson Tide now sit at 3-1 overall (1-0 SEC) ahead of likely the SEC's biggest Week 6 game, a home contest against Vanderbilt.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama, Ole Miss rising in SEC football power rankings after Week 5

Category: General Sports