Perhaps the biggest thing we learned in Week 5 of the 2025 SEC football season is that we didn’t really know that much through the first four weeks.
Alabama’s embarrassing Week 1 loss to Florida State seems like a distant memory after a workmanlike 24-21 victory at Georgia on Saturday. Same goes for Auburn’s encouraging 3-0 start, which has fizzled with back-to-back SEC road losses.
Ole Miss finally proved it with a big conference home win over LSU, which — along with Georgia — suddenly seems like a disappointment. And then there is Vanderbilt, which just keeps winning like it hasn’t since the World War I era.
So how do the teams in the SEC stack up heading into Week 6 of the 2025 season? Here’s the latest edition of AL.com’s SEC football power rankings for 2025 (all times Central and all games Saturday unless noted):
Miami defensive lineman Marquise Lightfoot (12) tackles Florida wide receiver TJ Abrams (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)AP16. Florida (1-3, 0-1)
Last week’s ranking: 16
Last week’s game: Open date
This week’s game: vs. Texas, 2:30 p.m., ESPN
Two things were in the Gators’ favor this week: 1. They didn’t lose, thanks to a bye week; and, 2. Arkansas cut ties with Sam Pittman, meaning Billy Napier wasn’t the first SEC coach fired this year. Florida actually plays pretty salty defense, so there’s a chance it will give Arch Manning and Texas a hard way to go in the Swamp on Saturday. There doesn’t seem to be much fixing this offense, however, and the Longhorns might be the best defense in the SEC.
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green (10) throws a pass under pressure from the Notre Dame defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)AP15. Arkansas (2-3, 0-1)
Last week’s ranking: 15
Last week’s game: Lost to Notre Dame, 56-14
This week’s game: Open date
The inevitable finally happened on Sunday, as the Sam Pittman era ended after an embarrassing home loss to Notre Dame in which the Razorbacks gave 42 points in the first half. Bobby Petrino is back in charge as interim coach, and there are some around the program that would like him to get the job (again) on a permanent basis despite past indiscretions. Arkansas has an open date this week, so Petrino’s “audition” to have the interim tag removed begins at Tennessee on Oct. 11.
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops looks on during the first half against the South Carolina in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)AP14. Kentucky (2-2, 0-2)
Last week’s ranking: 14
Last week’s game: Lost to South Carolina, 35-13
This week’s game: at Georgia, 11 a.m., ABC
The Wildcats took an early lead in Columbia before the game evolved into an offensive horror show, with South Carolina scoring defensive touchdowns twice in three plays in the second quarter via a sack/fumble and a pick six. Kentucky turned the ball over four times in total, with quarterback Cutter Boley getting sacked six times. The Wildcats are also 13th in the SEC in total defense, a ranking not likely to improve on Saturday in Athens, where they haven’t won since 2009.
Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell (9) sacks Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)AP13. Auburn (3-2, 0-2)
Last week’s ranking: 8
Last week’s game: Lost to Texas A&M, 16-10
This week’s game: Open date
Auburn’s second straight SEC road loss carried with it none of the built-in excuses the first one did. After getting legitimately worked over by bad officiating at Oklahoma on Sept. 20, the Tigers had no one to blame but themselves in College Station. The Aggies tried to gift-wrap the game for Hugh Freeze’s team via a boatload of penalties, the Tigers’ offensive ineptitude wouldn’t allow them to take the win. Jackson Arnold has now been sacked 16 times in the last two weeks, and Freeze and company will use their bye week to decide how much blame lies with Arnold and how much lies with what was supposed to be a pretty good offensive line.
Kentucky defensive back Ty Bryant (14) forces South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) out short of the goal line during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)AP12. South Carolina (3-2, 1-2)
Last week’s ranking: 13
Last week’s game: Beat South Carolina, 35-13
This week’s game: Open date
The Gamecocks won comfortably after back-to-back SEC losses, but two defensive touchdowns masked what was once again a frustrating offensive performance. LaNorris Sellers ran the ball effectively, but wasn’t asked to do much as a passer. Three offensive touchdowns isn’t generally going to cut it in the modern SEC. South Carolina has an open date followed by what should be four straight games against ranked SEC teams, beginning with a trip to LSU on Oct. 11.
Mississippi State running back Fluff Bothwell (24) scores a touchdown against Tennessee during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh)AP11. Mississippi State (4-1, 0-1)
Last week’s ranking: 12
Last week’s game: Lost to Tennessee, 41-34 (OT)
This week’s game: at Texas A&M, 6:30 p.m., SEC Network
Ah, what could have been. Mississippi State was on the verge of a Top 25 ranking and its biggest win in years, but a pair of defensive touchdowns by Tennessee ruined what could have been the signature win of Jeff Lebby’s short tenure in Starkville. The Bulldogs pounded the ball on the ground with Fluff Bothwell and Davon Booth, but quarterback Blake Shapen wasn’t able to stay upright long enough to help out much in the passing game. State leaves Mississippi for the first time this week with a trip to College Station, with a chance to make a statement (or suffer more disappointment) vs. unbeaten Texas A&M.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly confers with LSU place kicker Damian Ramos before he attempts a kick for a point after a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)AP10. LSU (4-1, 1-1)
Last week’s ranking: 2
Last week’s game: Lost to Ole Miss, 24-19
This week’s game: Open date
Turns out all those questions about Brian Kelly’s offense were well-founded, eh? The Tigers played Ole Miss within five points on the road, but the game wasn’t really that close as the Rebels outgained them nearly two-to-one. LSU stayed in it mostly thanks to 13 penalties on the home team. The open date offers the Tigers a chance to get well on offense, as running back Caden Durham missed the Ole Miss game with an ankle injury and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has apparently been playing hurt. There’s still time to salvage the season, starting when a shaky South Carolina team visits Baton Rouge on Oct. 11.
Georgia running back Josh McCray (2) fights through contact before scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)AP9. Georgia (3-1, 1-1)
Last week’s ranking: 1
Last week’s game: Lost to Alabama, 24-21
This week’s game: vs. Kentucky, 11 a.m., ABC
Kirby Smart’s inability to beat Alabama is one of the SEC’s great mysteries, the 2020s version of Peyton Manning always coming up small against Florida. On Saturday night, the Bulldogs even held the Crimson Tide scoreless in the second half, but weren’t able to get out of their own way on offense. A dropped touchdown pass by freshman receiver Talyn Taylor and a failed fourth-and-1 when a short field goal would have tied the game led to Georgia’s undoing. The Bulldogs also lost to Alabama last season, but rebounded to win the SEC after the Crimson Tide fell apart in October and November. A visit from Kentucky this week should help the Bulldogs begin to bounce back.
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea yells to on official during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)AP8. Vanderbilt (5-0, 1-0)
Last week’s ranking: 11
Last week’s game: Beat Utah State, 55-35
This week’s game: at Alabama, 2:30 p.m., ABC
The Commodores haven’t really played anyone yet, but this is Vanderbilt we’re talking about. For a program that has literally never won an SEC championship, a 5-0 record is cause for celebration irrespective of the opposition. But all roads have led to October for Diego Pavia and his band of merry men, who take a boatload of confidence into what should be the national headliner game of the week in Tuscaloosa. Vanderbilt has hung half-a-hundred on two straight opponents and of course beat the Crimson Tide in Nashville a year ago. The Commodores have been a fun story thus far; they can announce themselves as a legitimate SEC title and playoff contender if they win at Alabama.
Arch Manning leads the No. 8 Texas Longhorns against the Sam Houston State BearKats for free. Find out how to watch for free. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)AP7. Texas (3-1)
Last week’s ranking: 10
Last week’s game: Open date
This week’s game: at Florida, 2:30 p.m., ESPN
The Longhorns had three cupcakes and an open date following their season-opening loss at Ohio State, but return toward reality this week with a trip to face a Florida team that at least puts up a fight on defense. Texas shouldn’t have much trouble keeping the Gators off the scoreboard, but will need an A-level Arch Manning performance to avoid too many tense moments in the second half. The Longhorns will spend the entire month of October away from Austin, with trips to Gainesville, Lexington and Starkville mixed in with the annual Red River Showdown with Oklahoma on Oct. 11. We’ll know by the time they host Vanderbilt on Nov. 1 what this Texas team is made of.
Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (17) celebrates his touchdown against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh)AP6. Tennessee (4-1, 1-1)
Last week’s ranking: 5
Last week’s game: Beat Mississippi State, 41-34 (OT)
This week’s game: Open date
The Volunteers’ first true road game of the season nearly got away from them, but they were finally able to run the ball to win in the fourth quarter and overtime. Both of Tennessee’s SEC games have gone to overtime, and they continue to allow nearly as many explosive plays as they put forth. The Vols’ defense got pushed around somewhat in the running game, but made up for it by scoring a pair of defensive touchdowns that made the difference between winning and losing. Josh Heupel’s team now gets a one-week breather to sort things out before Arkansas visits Knoxville on Oct. 11, though the season really gets going again the following week at Alabama.
Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)AP5. Missouri (5-0, 1-0)
Last week’s ranking: 6
Last week’s game: Beat UMass, 42-6
This week’s game: Open date
The Tigers haven’t played the world’s toughest schedule thus far, but continue to dominate competition on both sides of the ball. Through five games, Missouri leads the SEC in both total offense and total defense. Transfer running back Ahmad Hardy is an early candidate for SEC Offensive Player of the Year, leading the conference in rushing by nearly 300 yards and averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Eli Drinkwitz’s team heads into its first bye week on a roll, and hosts Alabama on the other side with a chance to prove how good it really is.
Alabama Wide Receiver Germie Bernard (5) celebrates against Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA on Saturday, Sep 27, 2025.
Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics4. Alabama (3-1, 1-0)
Last week’s ranking: 9
Last week’s game: Beat Georgia, 24-21
This week’s game: vs. Vanderbilt, 2:30 p.m., ABC
Kalen DeBoer bought back a lot of good will by continuing to own Top 10 competition, particularly coming off a bye week. The Crimson Tide also came out sharp on the road for once, and Ty Simpson continued to show why he was the unquestioned starter at quarterback coming into the season. If there’s a concern, it was an inability to put the ball in the end zone in the second half, which never allowed Alabama to get comfortable late in the game. With College GameDay in town and Vanderbilt 5-0, the Crimson Tide certainly won’t overlook the Commodores for a second straight year. There is perhaps a concern about the ability to get “up” two weeks in a row.
Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell (9) reacts after sacking Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold on fourth down during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)AP3. Texas A&M (4-0, 1-0)
Last week’s ranking: 4
Last week’s game: Beat Auburn, 16-10
This week’s game: vs. Mississippi State, 6:30 p.m., SEC Network
After winning a shootout at Notre Dame in its previous outing, the Aggies stumbled their way to slugfest win vs. Auburn this past weekend. It would be difficult to say that A&M really won the game rather than have it handed to them, though several big defensive stops — including seven sacks — certainly count for something. The Aggies moved the ball well all day, but were nearly undone by a barrage of penalties and a near pick-six that gave the Tigers a chance to in the fourth quarter. With Marcel Reed at quarterback, Le’Veon Moss at running back and Mario Craver and KC Concepcion at receiver, A&M is as exciting at the skill positions as any team in the SEC. The three-game SEC homestand continues with a visit Saturday night from a much-improved Mississippi State team.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables, center, walks arm and arm with his team for warms ups before an NCAA college football game against Illinois State, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)AP2. Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0)
Last week’s ranking: 3
Last week’s game: Open date
This week’s game: vs. Kent State, 3 p.m., SEC Network
The biggest news during the bye week was the status of quarterback John Mateer, who is out indefinitely after undergoing hand surgery. The Sooners won’t need him against a pitiful Kent State team this week, but Red River looms on Oct. 11. Michael Hawkins probably will be behind center vs. Texas, as well as the next week at Kentucky. But if Oklahoma is still undefeated by the time it travels to Mississippi State on Oct. 25, this team will have be considered one of the favorites for a playoff berth. Finding a running game to go with the salty defense is task No. 1 this month of Brent Venables and his staff.
Mississippi linebacker TJ Dottery (6) encourages fan participation during the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)AP1. Ole Miss (5-0, 3-0)
Last week’s ranking: 7
Last week’s game: Beat LSU, 24-19
This week’s game: Open date
Well, look who we have here. Lane Kiffin finally got the job done while his team was in the spotlight, dominating LSU for four quarters even though penalties on the Rebels kept the score closer than it should have been. Former Division II quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has been one of the more inspired transfer portal finds in recent memory, and gives Kiffin something to think about when Austin Simmons is healthy. Ole Miss has already banked three SEC wins heading into its first bye week, and gets a non-conference warm-up vs. Washington State on the other side before heading to Georgia on Oct. 18. The Rebels definitely appear to be for real, but we won’t find out how “real” they are until the trip to Athens.
Creg Stephenson has worked for AL.com since 2010 and has covered college football for a variety of publications since 1994. Contact him at cstephenson@al.com or follow him on Twitter at @CregStephenson.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.