How Far did the Sooners Fall?

Coming off Oklahoma’s first loss a downward fall was inevitable for Oklahoma. But just how far did they tumble in our SoonerScoop.com SEC rankings? Beyond that, with Texas A&M quickly becoming one of the darling’s of the sport did they overtake the league’s top spot? Take a look at all of it as three Scoop staffers weigh in on the current SEC environment.

1. Alabama (5-1, 3-0)

Total Points: 47
High: 1 (George and Josh)
Low: 2 (Eddie)
Last Week: No. 1
Season High: No. 1
Season Low: No. 7

Where They Are: As the Tide get further and further from the date of their loss at Florida State, the less they look like that team. Quarterback Ty Simpson is playing like a legitimate Heisman favorite but most importantly if you squint the Alabama defense is starting to look like groups we all remember.

This Weekend: Tennessee

2. Texas A&M (6-0, 3-0)

Total Points: 46
High: 1 (Eddie)
Low: 2 (George and Josh)
Last Week: No. 2
Season High: No. 2
Season Low: No. 4

Where They Are: One of the real stories of college football so far. The A&M offense is explosive, who knew that sort of thing was possible or even allowed? What will be interesting this week is to see if the Aggies defense has grown as much as it seems with a road trip to see a potent Razorbacks offense.

This Weekend: @ Arkansas

3. Georgia (5-1, 3-1)

Total Points: 41
High: 3 (George and Josh)
Low: 4 (Eddie)
Last Week: No. 5
Season High: No. 1
Season Low: No. 5

Where They Are: It’s insane how easy it seems to be to overlook the Bulldogs. The talented bunch may not be the dominant force we’ve seen in years past but there’s something gritty about the bunch that just keeps finding ways to get wins. This week could be a real measuring stick for which team plans to challenge our current top two in the SEC.

This Weekend: Ole Miss

4. Ole Miss (6-0, 3-0)

Total Points: 40
High: 3 (Eddie)
Low: 4 (George and Josh)
Last Week: No. 6
Season High: No. 3
Season Low: No. 9

Where They Are: Alright, Ole Miss can undoubtedly hear the doubters out there – but this week, you go to Georgia and get a win, something pretty much exclusive to Alabama in recent years, and the doubts largely go away.

This Weekend: @ Georgia

5. Texas (4-2, 1-1)

Total Points: 33
High: 5 (Eddie)
Low: 7 (George)
Last Week: No. 9
Season High: No. 4
Season Low: No. 9

Where They Are: What a difference a week makes. There is suddenly belief in not only the Longhorns but Arch Manning after a strong performance in the Cotton Bowl. The Longhorns may not have the SEC’s most brutal slate but after this weekend they’ll enter their toughest stretch of the season.

This Weekend: @ Kentucky

6. Missouri (5-1, 1-1)

Total Points: 32
High: 5 (Josh)
Low: 8 (Eddie)
Last Week: No. 4
Season High: No. 4
Season Low: No. 8

Where They Are: A lot of people seem down on the Tigers following the narrow loss at home to Alabama but frankly, that seems off. Missouri stood toe to toe with one of the league’s best and in spite of some errors still had a shot to win the game late in the fourth quarter. Missouri may not be special but they are very dangerous.

This Weekend: @ Auburn

7. Tennessee (5-1, 2-1)

Total Points: 32
High: 5 (George)
Low: 8 (Josh)
Last Week: No. 7
Season High: No. 6
Season Low: No. 8

Where They Are: Another team that has kind of flown under the SEC radar the last few weeks. That won’t continue this week as we hit the third Saturday in October and their annual grudge match with Alabama. It’s a big chance for the Volunteers to vault themselves to the front of the line in the playoff race.

This Weekend: @ Alabama

8. Oklahoma (5-1, 1-1)

Total Points: 29
High: 7 (Eddie and Josh)
Low: 8 (George)
Last Week: No. 3
Season High: No. 2
Season Low: No. 3

Where They Are: We’ve talked about this all over SoonerScoop but this could be a truly decisive game not only for this year’s Sooners but perhaps the program in general. Oklahoma needs to leave Texas back in Dallas and find a way to beat the lone unranked team remaining on their schedule. If they don’t, the seas could get pretty stormy.

This Weekend: @ South Carolina

9. LSU (5-1, 2-1) 

Total Points: 24
High: Three No. 9 Votes
Low: Three No. 9 Votes
Last Week: No. 8
Season High: No. 5
Season Low: No. 10

Where They Are: LSU fans can absolutely relate to Oklahoma fans. After several years of poor defense the Tigers are a nasty unit on defense but now can’t find the offense that led their team for years. The Tigers have a tricky one with Vanderbilt this weekend and will be an underdog to the Commodores for the first time since 1948.

This Weekend: @ Vanderbilt

10. Vanderbilt (5-1, 1-1)

Total Points: 21
High: Three No. 10 Votes
Low: Three No. 10 Votes
Last Week: No. 11
Season High: No. 9
Season Low: No. 11

Where They Are: This feels like the moment where Vanderbilt can start to establish a shock run toward a playoff spot. The Commodores missed an opportunity in Tuscaloosa but if they can find a way to some points they might just have a chance to pull off another huge win for the program.

This Weekend: LSU

11. Mississippi State (4-2, 0-2)

Total Points: 18
High: Three No. 11 Votes
Low: Three No. 11 Votes
Last Week: No. 13
Season High: No. 11
Season Low: No. 13

Where They Are: We continue to like Mississippi State and this ranking feels like a reflection of just how deep the conference is more than anything the Bulldogs are doing wrong. But part of growing up is knowing when to head to a staggered opponent and be able to put them out of their misery. Mississippi State’s history isn’t full of wins in the Swamp but this weekend is a real opportunity.

This Weekend: @ Florida

12. Florida (2-4, 1-2)

Total Points: 14
High: 12 (Eddie and Josh)
Low: 13 (George)
Last Week: No. 10
Season High: No. 10
Season Low: No. 13

Where They Are: Could this be Billy Napier‘s swan song in Gainesville? It sure feels like that is possible if the Bulldogs come in and grab a win. Florida’s talent is undeniable but it just seems like if something can go wrong for them, it tends to.

This Weekend: Mississippi State

13. Auburn (3-3, 0-3)

Total Points: 12
High: 12 (George)
Low: 14 (Eddie)
Last Week: No. 12
Season High: No. 11
Season Low: No. 13

Where They Are: Man, at some point you have to take some pity on the Tigers. They are currently busy writing a book on how to lose in the most painful ways possible. Things get no easier this week as Missouri comes to down licking their own wounds. Is there a point in time when Auburn’s defense starts to let go of the rope?

This Weekend: Missouri

14. Arkansas (2-3, 0-1)

Total Points: 8
High: 13 (Eddie)
Low: 15 (George and Josh)
Last Week: No. 15
Season High: No. 14
Season Low: No. 16

Where They Are: A huge surprise, Arkansas put together a truly strong performance under the watch of Bob Petrino. The Razorbacks offense continues to be one of the league’s best but can they stop A&M’s similarly potent attack? It seems unlikely.

This Weekend: Texas A&M

15. South Carolina (3-2, 1-2)

Total Points: 8
High: 14 (George and Josh)
Low: 15 (Eddie)
Last Week: No. 14
Season High: No. 13
Season Low: No. 14

Where They Are: After last year it seemed South Carolina was ready to build some momentum but here things sit staring down the barrel of a 1-3 SEC start. They’ve got a chance to get the Sooners but it may come down to what kind of group arrives in Columbia, S.C., a wounded animal or a rattled one?

This Weekend: Oklahoma

16. Kentucky (2-3, 0-3)

Total Points: 3
High: Three No. 16 Votes
Low: Three No. 16 Votes
Last Week: No. 16
Season High: No. 15
Season Low: No. 16

Where They Are: There’s no team in the league that feels more like it’s just playing out the string than the Wildcats. One team has already let go of their head coach and three or four more are eyeing the possibility yet the Wildcats still seem the most listless bunch in the league.

This Weekend: Texas

SEC Rankings History

Sept. 26 Rankings

Oct. 1 Rankings

Oct. 8 Rankings