We’re through Week 5 and the Power Poll is starting to sort itself out following more head-to-head conference games. Warning…this will not be a lot of fun for any of us. But, in the spirit of honesty, let’s get through this…brighter days ahead.  

1. Alabama – The FSU game almost feels forgotten (unfortunately). I hate these guys a lot…and I’d rather listen to the sound of dial up internet while trying to fall asleep than put these guys at the top of the list. But, they have the best conference win of the season and were the first team to win a game in Sanford Stadium in 6 years. They are not a perfect team and we aided in their success, but going to give them their flowers for at least this week.     
2. Ole Miss – May have not been overly dominant, but they got the job done and beat a top 5 team this past weekend. I don’t think LSU was playing like a top 5 team, but Ole Miss continues to beat all the teams in front of them and finds themselves in the top 5 nationally. They’ve got a tough mid-season draw having to play in Athens and Norman back-to-back…if they win at least one of those, smooth sailing to finish the season and likely a CFP team.  
3. Oklahoma – Off week for the Sooners, so feel bad dropping them a couple of spots, but those are the breaks in this completely unofficial and inconsequential power poll. They get mighty Kent State this weekend before the Red River Shootout…sans Mateer. Tough break for these guys who are enjoying their best season in a while.    
4. Texas A&M – Wasn’t overly impressed with their win over Auburn, but they got the job done and can still claim a record with no blemishes. Notre Dame helped them out with a dominant win over Arkansas, but I’m still skeptical. Their schedule lines up about as friendly as you could hope for in the SEC, but feel like they’ll drop at least 2 games somewhere along the way…because that’s what Texas A&M does.
5. Vanderbilt – This isn’t going to last…they’ve had their last cake walk game of the season. Even if they’re winning convincingly up to this point, they’ve got 5 games remaining against top 20 teams…3 of them on the road. Prove me wrong Vandy…I’ll readily admit it.
6. Georgia – If Georgia could only play the final 3 quarters of a game, they might be the best team in the nation. Unfortunately, there is something called a 1^st quarter and the Dawgs start slower than a grandparent’s text response. Until we figure out the starts, plenty to be concerned about with our schedule.   
7. Tennessee – Fortunate to get through a very game Mississippi State this weekend. But, survive and advance when playing on the road in the SEC. My guess is these guys are going to be hell at home, but beatable on the road. Lucky for these guys, only one tough road game remaining on their schedule.   
8. LSU – They’ve flirted with some close ones to start the year and the Football Gods were ready for LSU to pay up. Here’s something I never thought I’d say, “LSU can earn back a lot of credibility if they can beat Vanderbilt in Nashville on October 18th.” In other news, down is now up, left is now right, and Paul Finebaum really knows his sh*t.
9. Texas – Off week for the Longhorns before a trip to Gainesville, which my gut is telling me will be interesting. My gut also told me Georgia would play a great game for 60 minutes this past Saturday…trust my gut at your own risk.
10. Missouri – The good…they’re still undefeated and a top 20 team. The bad…the best team they have played, by far, is South Carolina. They have played every game in Columbia, Missouri. I still can’t (in)validate them until I see them play a respectable team. Off week before Bama at home (again) which sets up about as perfect as they could hope. I’m quite sure they’ll get the 75% version of Bama, as opposed to the 125% version we got.    
11. Mississippi State – They had their opportunity, and it slipped through their fingers like soap in a prison shower…quickly and with consequences. Let’s be clear, they didn’t get the same Tennessee we got a couple of weeks ago. But, they deserve credit for being an afterthought last year to starting 4-0 and taking a very good team into the championship rounds on Saturday.    
12. Auburn – Tough draw on the early season conference schedule…top 10 Oklahoma in Norman, followed by top 10 A&M in College Station. Played both of them tough and lost two close games. Can’t tell you how excited I am to get them on the Plains in a couple weeks after they’ve had an off week to rest, recover and seethe over their 0-2 conference start. One of my Georgia Football group chat friends pointed out that Auburn is currently 3 for 28 on third down in their two conference games…anyone want to bet how many third down conversions they get in two weeks?
13. South Carolina – Because they took care of Kentucky in convincing fashion. That makes you the winner of the bottom quartile!     
14. Kentucky – Because at least they lost on the road.   
15. Arkansas – Because you got curb stomped by the Irish at home…fired your head coach and promoted the OC (who put up all of 13 points against Notre Dame) to interim head coach. Did I mention the OC in question is Bobby Petrino…are we in a time machine?
16. Florida – Because you didn’t play this week and your best (only) win is against Long Island University…and I haven’t forgotten about the 90’s and how much I dislike your football program.

Kentucky awaits!

Go Dawgs!