The time for test drives and dry runs is over across SEC football.
The Week 6 schedule includes only one nonconference game. The Texas Longhorns, the only SEC team yet to play a league game, get their conference slate underway Saturday when they visit Florida for one of five SEC games on this week’s slate.
Article continues below this ad
Texas Longhorns receiver Parker Livingston (13) is tackled by UTEP corner Justin Content (18) during the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) is hit by UTEP linebacker Micah Davey (48) during the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
The Texas Longhorns take the field ahead of the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) dives for more yards during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
UTEP spur Cade McConnell (12) interferes with a pass intended for Texas Longhorns receiver Ryan Wingo (1) during the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs the ball during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
UTEP quarterback Malachi Nelson (7) throws a pass during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns fans chant during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns receiver Parker Livingston (13) celebrates a touchdown by receiver Ryan Wingo (1) during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
UTEP quarterback Malachi Nelson (7) hands off the ball to running back Ashten Emory (1) during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Travis Shaw (44) tackles UTEP running back Ashten Emory (1) for a loss during the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Travis Shaw (44) celebrates a tackle for a loss during the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns receiver Ryan Wingo (1) misses a catch during the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns running back James Simon (31) runs the ball during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns tight end Jack Endries (88) celebrates a rushing touchdown by quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns fans display a Texas Flag during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs the ball during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) walks the field ahead of the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Of course, last week already taught us plenty about the shape this campaign could take. Alabama scored a season-saving victory at Georgia. Ole Miss exposed crucial LSU flaws and established itself as a contender at the top of the SEC. A poor Arkansas performance led to the league’s first coach firing.
Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith (26) and Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe celebrate a sack Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
The narratives are starting to come together. Now, we’ll begin to learn which stories are true and which are fictional.
Article continues below this ad
Here’s a look at our power rankings ahead of another loaded week of SEC action:
1. Texas A&M
Do not be fooled by the final score. The Aggies’ 16-10 victory over Auburn was comprehensive. Mike Elko’s team outgained the Tigers 414-177 in total yards and held the visitors without a third-down conversion through the entire game. Auburn’s offense reeks, but if Saturday’s showing signaled a breakthrough for the Texas A&M defense, the Aggies will waltz into the College Football Playoff.
Last week: No. 2, beat Auburn 16-10
Article continues below this ad
This week: vs. Mississippi State
2. Ole Miss
The Rebels are operating on island time. Trinidad Chambliss, who was playing against the likes of Wayne State and Michigan Tech at this time last season, quarterbacked Ole Miss to its third consecutive home victory over LSU. Chambliss has thrown for more than 300 yards in each of his three starts — all against SEC opposition. He’s got 266 rushing yards on the year, too. He hasn’t just wrested the job away from Austin Simmons; the Division II transfer has inserted himself into the Heisman conversation.
Last week: No. 7, beat LSU 24-19
Article continues below this ad
3. Alabama
Time to throw Kalen DeBoer’s pink slip in the recycling bin for the time being. The Crimson Tide went into Athens and handed Georgia its first loss at Samford Stadium since 2019. Alabama dominated on third downs and quarterback Ty Simpson played efficiently while taking care of the ball. Maybe that loss to Florida State was just the result of a bad week and didn’t signal the program’s impending doom.
Last week: No. 9, beat Georgia 24-21
Article continues below this ad
This week: vs Vanderbilt
MORE: How former Texas football LB is making a different in children’s lives
4. Oklahoma
The Sooners are racing against time. With quarterback John Mateer healthy, they looked like a team with a chance to compete for an SEC title. But he’s undergone surgery on his hand and it’s not clear whether he’ll be back for the Red River Rivalry game Oct. 11 against Texas. The Sooners should be fine with Michael Hawkins Jr. under center against Kent State this week.
Article continues below this ad
Last week: No. 4, did not play
This week: vs. Kent State
5. Georgia
Kirby Smart has lost just 20 games since he took over the Georgia program ahead of the 2016 season. Seven of those defeats have come at the hands of Alabama. The Bulldogs ran the ball effectively enough to win this game, but didn’t get a winning performance from quarterback Gunner Stockton.
Article continues below this ad
Last week: No. 1, lost to Alabama 24-21
6. Vanderbilt
After a 55-35 thumping of Utah State, the Commodores are averaging 49 points per game. Only Florida State, Texas Tech and Tennessee boast more prolific offenses. Now Vandy enters a four-game stretch where it will face four SEC opponents ranked in the top 20. The Commodores aren’t sneaking up on anybody this year. Are they good enough to beat the league’s best without the element of surprise?
Article continues below this ad
Last week: No. 5, beat Utah State 55-35
7. Tennessee
The turnover bug gave the Vols a nasty bite last week, with three giveaways landing them in an overtime slugfest with Mississippi State. Still, Tennessee escaped with a win, and even the best teams have to overcome their own mistakes on occasion. Josh Heupel’s offense is back to its electric standard. The defense, by contrast, casts a major question over the Vols’ playoff legitimacy.
Article continues below this ad
Last week: No. 6, beat Mississippi State 41-34
8. LSU
Garrett Nussmeier looks nothing like the Heisman Trophy contender who was expected to lead the Tigers back to SEC prominence. LSU’s rebuilt defense is carrying a listless offense for now, and a one-dimensional team isn’t a team that’s likely to win road games against tough SEC opponents. LSU found that out against Ole Miss last week.
Article continues below this ad
Last week: No. 3, lost to Ole Miss 24-19
9. Texas
It’s time to find out whether Arch Manning’s early-season stumbles were caused by growing pains or true quarterbacking deficiencies. The Longhorns’ defense is good enough to beat Florida even without a stellar game from Manning, but Texas needs a good showing from its main man to feel good about the direction its season is heading in.
Article continues below this ad
Last week: No. 9, did not play
10. Missouri
The Tigers have the SEC’s easiest strength of schedule by a wide margin. Because of that, we still don’t know if Mizzou is any good despite the fact that the Tigers are heading into their first bye week holding a 5-0 record. An Oct. 11 date with Alabama should finally let us know if Eliah Drinkwitz’s team is a contender or a fraud.
Article continues below this ad
Last week: No. 10, beat UMass 42-6
MORE: Texas safety Jelani McDonald creates turnovers for Longhorns after developing on defense
11. Mississippi State
Mississippi State fans were introduced to a different shade of agony than the one they’ve been suffering with for the past handful of seasons. Rather than coping with an uncompetitive team, they instead had to deal with the sensation of narrowly missing out on a huge win when Tennessee escaped Starkville with an overtime victory. The Bulldogs have proven themselves a danger to top-tier teams at home. Can they be the same on the road?
Article continues below this ad
Last week: No. 11, lost to Tennessee 41-34
This week: at Texas A&M
12. South Carolina
Any path back toward respectability for the Gamecocks had to include a home win over Kentucky last week, and South Carolina secured that to snap a two-game slide. Five consecutive ranked opponents now await Shane Beamer’s team.
Article continues below this ad
Last week: No. 14, beat Kentucky 35-13
13. Auburn
Hugh Freeze is midway through his third season as Auburn’s coach, and, despite the increased roster maneuverability offered by the transfer portal era, he still hasn’t managed to field an offense that doesn’t pain the eye of the beholder. The Tigers are averaging 3.7 yards per play against SEC opposition. Yuck.
Article continues below this ad
Last week: No. 12, lost to Texas A&M 16-10
14. Florida
A bye week gave the Gators an opportunity to marinate in the stench of their 1-3 start and hope that their quarterback, DJ Lagway, recovered from injury fast enough to play effectively when Texas visits Gainesville this week. One SEC coach has already lost his job. Billy Napier could find himself on the chopping block, too, unless Florida gets it figured out fast.
Article continues below this ad
Last week: No. 13, did not play
15. Kentucky
After years of overproducing with an underresourced program, time might be running out for Mark Stoops at Kentucky. He’s 1-9 in his last 10 SEC games and 7-19 in his last 26 conference matchups. This iteration of the Wildcats does not have competent quarterback play and isn’t defending well enough to let a half-decent running game lead the way to wins.
Article continues below this ad
Last week: No. 15, lost to South Carolina 35-13
16. Arkansas
An embarrassing home loss to Notre Dame forced Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek into action, relieving coach Sam Pittman of his duties with a 32-34 overall record across parts of six seasons. Interim coach Bobby Petrino was the last guy to carry the Razorbacks to a double-digit win season back in 2011. He wants the job back on a permanent basis and is about to embark on a seven-game live audition for it.
Article continues below this ad
Last week: No. 16, lost to Notre Dame 56-13