We’re through the first month of games and beginning this week, we’re heavily entrenched in conference play for several weeks in a row. Week 4 was not the most interesting slate of games with several teams getting some final tune up games (or so they thought…looking at you Arkansas) before they enter the long stretch of SEC weekly warfare. That said, there are a few shakeups in the Power Poll compared to last week. Let’s have at it!

1. Oklahoma – Oklahoma is not the best team in the SEC…there, I said it. It looks like Mateer is going to be out for about a month, that’s going to really hurt their cause. I’m pretty sure they blackmailed the SEC officials this past Saturday. How in the hell did they jump to #1? Well, they were the only team that played and beat an opponent with an actual football pulse this weekend, and they have a couple of top 25 victories to their credit while sporting an undefeated record. This will not last, but feels deserving for at least this week.     
2. Georgia – We still have the best win of anyone in the conference and there is a case to be made we should be #1. Still holding strong that I can’t put us #1 until we prove it this weekend. You’ll either thank me next week…or hate me (go easy if I’m wrong).  
3. Tennessee – Another delicious cupcake, another blowout. I really want to see what Tennessee can do on the road against a good opponent. That looks like it will be against Bama…beyond that, their schedule lines up VERY nicely. They caught some breaks with teams like Florida being down and they get Oklahoma at home. Mississippi State could be sneaky tough this weekend, but should be favored in every remaining game other than Bama.   
4. Texas A&M – Off week for the Aggies, but could/should be 7-0 before going into Baton Rouge on 10/25. Back end of their schedule looks tough, but I’ll keep them at #4 for the time being.  
5. LSU – I had these guys #1 in the Power Poll last week…they win 56-10 and drop four spots. I know, it’s completely illogical and unfair. But, we know a little bit more about their “quality wins” after Week 4. I think it’s fair to say Clemson is an absolute dumpster fire and in retrospect, I can’t give LSU a lot of credit for beating Clemson in “Likely To Survive Valley” when a really bad Syracuse team just did the same thing. LSU needed a defensive score to have breathing room for a victory over a 1-3 Florida team that is likely to further implode. They’ll have a chance to get a quality win this weekend at Ole Miss to prove me wrong.   
6. Vanderbilt – Queue up DJ Khaled, cause all they do is win, win, win. Definitely a nice story and I think they’re a legitimately good team…but take a look at Week 6-9 on their schedule…we’ll see how real they are after that stretch. In other news, Diego Pavia is trying to get a 15^th year of eligibility for 2026…this is getting out of control.
7. Alabama – Off week for Bama before the showdown in Athens this week. I do think Bama is better than Vandy (and probably LSU as well) and will beat them in a couple of weeks, so I should probably have them slotted in at #6…but what do we really know about Bama? They lost to FSU in convincing fashion. They took their anger out on SE Louisiana, before comfortably beating a Wisconsin team that just got throttled by Maryland on their home field. I have no clue how good Bama really is, but guarantee we’ll get the best version of them this weekend.
8. Ole Miss – Keeping them at #8 for this week after another lopsided win against an overmatched opponent. They can claim two conference wins, but when they come against Kentucky and Arkansas, color me skeptical. Great opportunity to get a good-looking win against LSU this weekend…should be a fun matchup where team strengths are completely opposite.    
9. Auburn – Yep, these guys got completely screwed this weekend. Nothing worse than a Sunday press release confirming you were screwed and the powers that be have to say, “Sorry, tough shit.” I’m no Auburn fan, but damn I’d be pissed after that little episode. Their reward? Go to another tough environment at Texas A&M this weekend. Someone tell me if it’s better for us to play Auburn coming off two straight losses and a bye, or play Auburn off a big win and a bye…I can’t decide. I need to know who I should be cheering for this weekend.  
10. Texas – Arch, seriously? I’ve tried to be cool and go easy on you because you never asked for the expectations the media put on you. But, when you flex on a Sam Houston defender after merely shaking off a bad tackle attempt, you’re not helping your cause. That felt like something Geoff Collins would have recommended…and maybe go knock out some bench press reps on the sideline afterwards. Anyway, Texas wins the schedule lottery for their next two games with Lagway and Mateer being injured (although Lagway being out could be an upgrade for Florida at this point).    
11. Missouri – Got pushed pretty hard by South Carolina at home…even if South Carolina’s stock is falling like a blind roofer right now. Good to see Damon Wilson having a nice season with 3 sacks to his credit (sarcasm). I’ve moved them up a spot for this week, but admittedly, I’m not sold on these guys. Their first road game of the season will be October 18^th…who the hell made that schedule? I’m still holding until they play Bama on 10/11 before I form a complete opinion.     
12. Mississippi State – Alright other Bulldogs…the ultimate “prove it” weekend is right in front of you. The Vols have been susceptible to the occasional road loss against an inferior team in the Heupel era…great opportunity to catch them off guard. You win that game and I’ll vault you up the rankings in the Power Poll. It’s up to you.   
13. South Carolina – Moving them up two spots after two straight losses doesn’t make a lot of sense, but at least they were leading in the 4^th quarter on the road against a top 25 team. I’ll try to make it make some sense in just a minute…
14. Kentucky – Off week for the Wildcats…they play at South Carolina this weekend and can help sort out which team is better in the bottom quarter of the Power Poll. Until then, I’ve held them steady at #14.  
15. Arkansas – Damnit Arkansas…you’re making the conference look bad. At least South Carolina lost to a top 25 conference team. Arkansas lost to a non-P4 team (albeit a good one) when they were in perfect position to win the game. This is the second straight week they’ve fumbled on a potential game winning drive. If you’re a diehard Razorback fan, that’s some immeasurable pain to lose in that fashion for two straight weeks. If they think they can do better than Pittman…I’m sure we can make room for him on the Georgia staff in some capacity.     
16. Florida – Are we ready to declare the train has completely come off the track? 1-3 start to the season and the schedule ain’t getting any easier. Your “star” QB is in a walking boot…conveniently after four games played (ahem, redshirt preserved). Napier has the current highest odds (4/1) of being the next P4 coach fired…true, I looked it up. It’s very possible Florida only wins 3 games this year, and that means a win at Kentucky and a win at home against Mississippi State. They’ll be underdogs in every other game on their schedule.  

Conference play will heat up a lot more this week and the Dawgs have an opportunity to seize the top spot in the conference. Let’s get a W and have a good time with the Power Poll next week. Go Dawgs!