{"id":370052,"date":"2025-09-15T13:20:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T13:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/370052\/"},"modified":"2025-09-15T13:20:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T13:20:16","slug":"al-coms-sec-football-power-rankings-for-week-4-of-2025-season-a-new-no-1-after-weekend-of-fireworks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/370052\/","title":{"rendered":"AL.com\u2019s SEC Football Power Rankings for Week 4 of 2025 season: A new No. 1 after weekend of fireworks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The third week of the 2025 SEC football season saw a pair of shootouts go down to the final play, while 10 of 16 teams in the conference scored at least 40 points. <\/p>\n

Georgia-Tennessee and Texas A&M-Notre Dame were instant classics, and Ole Miss-Arkansas was entertaining as always. Every other game involving an SEC team was decided by double digits, five by at least three touchdowns. <\/p>\n

So how do the teams in the SEC stack up heading into Week 4 of the 2025 season? Here\u2019s the latest edition of AL.com<\/a>\u2019s SEC football power rankings for 2025 (all times Central and all games Saturday unless noted):<\/p>\n

\"EKentucky quarterback Cutter Boley (8) hands a ball off to running back Tovani Mizell (28) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Eastern Michigan, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo\/Michael Swensen)AP16. Kentucky (2-1, 0-1)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 16<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Beat Eastern Michigan, 48-23<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: Open date<\/p>\n

The Wildcats did what they were supposed to do against a MAC team, and perhaps found their new starting quarterback. Cutter Boley, filling in for the injured Zach Calzada, threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns in his second career start. Kentucky now gets a bye week before back-to-back SEC road games at South Carolina and at Georgia. <\/p>\n

\"ArkansasArkansas running back Braylen Russell (0) gestures after scoring a three-yard touchdown against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rogelio V. Solis)AP15. Arkansas (2-1, 0-1)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 15<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Lost to Ole Miss, 41-35<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: at Memphis, 11 a.m., ABC<\/p>\n

In what is nearly always an exciting game, the Razorbacks came out on the short end for the third straight year despite 416 yards and three touchdowns combined rushing and receiving from quarterback Taylen Green. Arkansas missed a pair of field goals, which ultimately made the difference in the final score. The Hogs have big non-conference games the next two weeks, traveling over to Memphis before hosting Notre Dame. <\/p>\n

\"FloridaFlorida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) passes under pressure from LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo\/Gerald Herbert)AP14. Florida (1-2, 0-1)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 14<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Lost to LSU, 20-10<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: at Miami, 6:30 p.m., ABC<\/p>\n

Things appear to be slipping away once again for Billy Napier, under whom former 5-star quarterback DJ Lagway has stagnated. Lagway threw five interceptions on Saturday night, as the Gators failed to take advantage of a sloppy performance by the Tigers. Florida will be an underdog in its next three games (at Miami, home for Texas, at Texas A&M), so a 1-5 start is a strong possibility. <\/p>\n

\"ArizonaMississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby adjusts his headset during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Mississippi State won 24-20. (AP Photo\/Rogelio V. Solis)AP13. Mississippi State (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 13<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Beat Alcorn State, 63-0<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: vs. Northern Illinois, 3:15 p.m., SEC Network<\/p>\n

Times are good in Starkville, as the Bulldogs have already exceeded their victory total from 2024, and are 3-0 for the first time since 2018. State scored on its first four possessions to make this one a laugher early, with nine different players totaling at least one rushing attempt and three throwing at least one pass. MSU gets another non-conference warmup this week, though Northern Illinois is coming off a bye. <\/p>\n

\"VanderbiltSouth Carolina head coach Shane Beamer reacts to a penalty in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo\/David Yeazell)AP12. South Carolina (2-1, 0-1)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 9<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Lost to Vanderbilt, 31-7<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: at Missouri, 6 p.m., ESPN<\/p>\n

The Gamecocks lost to Vanderbilt for the first time since 2008 in rather emphatic fashion, though quarterback LaNorris Sellers was knocked out of the game early with a concussion. Still, South Carolina\u2019s defense laid an egg as well, and star defensive end Dylan Stewart was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct in the fourth quarter. That\u2019s not a good sign heading into a Saturday night date with a Missouri team that is on a serious roll right now. <\/p>\n

\"VanderbiltVanderbilt wide receiver Richie Hoskins (5) is stopped by South Carolina defensive back DQ Smith, front right, in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo\/David Yeazell)AP11. Vanderbilt (3-0, 1-0)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 12<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Beat South Carolina, 31-7<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: vs. Georgia State, 6:30 p.m., ESPNU<\/p>\n

You have to take the Commodores seriously at this point, as they\u2019ve essentially been unchallenged in their three games this season. Diego Pavia added another ranked team to his victim\u2019s list on Saturday night, and the Vandy defense totaled eight tackles for loss. Clark Lea\u2019s team now gets to try and make up for an inexplicable loss to Georgia State last year, then faces Utah State before delving back into SEC play at Alabama on Oct. 4. <\/p>\n

\"UTEPTexas quarterback Arch Manning (16) is pressured by UTEP defensive lineman Ashaad Hall (19) as he looks to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo\/Eric Gay)AP10. Texas (2-1)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 3<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Beat UTEP, 27-10<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: vs. Sam Houston, 7 p.m., ESPN+\/SECN+<\/p>\n

Arch Manning continued his surprisingly poor play for the third straight week, throwing 10 straight incompletions at one point and even hearing a few boos. The good news is that Texas\u2019 defense was again outstanding, though the offense has got to get better if this team is really going to contend for anything. Texas finishes off non-conference play with the Bearkats before a bye week heading into the SEC opener at Florida on Oct. 4. <\/p>\n

\"WisconsinAlabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) runs a route against Wisconsin during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo\/Vasha Hunt)AP9. Alabama (2-1)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 11<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Beat Wisconsin, 38-14<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: Open date <\/p>\n

The Crimson Tide players and coaches have taken to heart all the criticism they heard after Week 1, turning in a second straight outstanding start-to-finish performance. Ty Simpson seemingly can\u2019t miss, and Ryan Williams returned with his biggest game since last year\u2019s star-making outing vs. Georgia. Speaking of the Bulldogs, Alabama has an open date this week before making its first trip to Athens in 10 years on Sept. 27. <\/p>\n

\"ArkansasMississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) follows his blockers as he runs past Arkansas defenders during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. Mississippi won 41-35. (AP Photo\/Rogelio V. Solis)AP8. Ole Miss (3-0, 2-0)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 7<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Beat Arkansas, 41-35<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: vs. Tulane, 2:30 p.m., ESPN<\/p>\n

With Austin Simmons sidelined due to injury, Trinidad Chambliss posted one of the great out-of-nowhere quarterback performances in SEC history. The Division II transfer passed for 353 yards and a touchdown while rushing for a pair of scores as the Rebels outlasted Arkansas. Ole Miss has banked two SEC wins, but faces a potentially dangerous non-conference opponent in the unbeaten Green Wave, who have already knocked off teams from the Big Ten (Northwestern) and ACC (Duke) this season. <\/p>\n

\"LouisianaMissouri running back Ahmad Hardy scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Lafayette Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo\/L.G. Patterson)AP7. Missouri (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 10<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Beat Louisiana, 52-10<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: vs. South Carolina, 6 p.m., ESPN<\/p>\n

Eli Drinkwitz\u2019s Tigers seem to have aced the transfer portal, with running back Ahmad Hardy (Louisiana-Monroe) rushing for 250 yards and two touchdowns and receiver Kevin Coleman (Mississippi State) adding eight receptions for 84 yards and a score in the blowout of the Ragin\u2019 Cajuns. Missouri now hosts South Carolina for what should be a very interesting SEC opener, one in which the Tigers are likely to be favored whether Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers plays or not. <\/p>\n

\"APTOPIXGeorgia defensive linemen Elijah Griffin (90) and Xzavier McLeod (94) celebrate after Tennessee place-kicker Max Gilbert (90), center, misses a game winning field goal during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo\/George Walker IV)AP6. Tennessee (2-1, 0-1)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 5<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Lost to Georgia, 44-41 (OT)<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: vs. UAB, 11:45 a.m., SEC Network<\/p>\n

The Big Orange and their faithful have to wonder if they\u2019re ever going to beat Georgia after they blew it in about six different ways on Saturday in Knoxville. Kicker Max Gilbert will get all the attention for missing a 43-yard field goal at the end of regulation, but the Volunteers\u2019 defense late down several times late to allow Georgia to rally. Quarterback Joey Aguilar looks like a keeper, however. After what should be a fairly uneventful meeting with UAB on Saturday, the Vols step back into SEC play Sept. 27 at Mississippi State. <\/p>\n

\"SouthSouth Alabama safety Brian Dillard (16) runs to tackle Auburn wide receiver Bryce Cain (6) at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025. (Will McLelland | AL.com)Will McLelland5. Auburn (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 4<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Beat South Alabama, 31-15<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: at Oklahoma, 2:30 p.m., ABC<\/p>\n

The Tigers appeared to take their foot off the gas after a dominant second quarter vs. the in-state Jaguars, but inconsistency in the passing game both on offense and defense made the game closer than it should have been. Jackson Arnold makes his much-heralded return to Norman on Saturday, with Auburn seeking its first 4-0 start since 2019. Back-to-back SEC road trips to Oklahoma and Texas A&M the next two weeks will tell us how good Hugh Freeze\u2019s team really is. <\/p>\n

\"TexasTexas A&M’s Nate Boerkircher (87) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of an NCAA football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo\/Paul Beaty)AP4. Texas A&M (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 8<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Beat Notre Dame, 41-40<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: Open date<\/p>\n

The Aggies deserve a ton of credit for getting off the deck and rallying multiple times Saturday in a tough road environment, including a clutch, game-winning touchdown drive in the final three minutes. Running back Le\u2019Veon Moss is healthy again, and quarterback Marcel Reed and receivers Mario Craver and KC Concepcion have given A&M its best passing attack since the Johnny Manziel days. Mike Elko and company now get an open date to rest up before Auburn comes to town for the SEC opener on Sept. 27. <\/p>\n

\"OklahomaOklahoma running back Xavier Robinson in action during an NCAA college football game against Temple, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Derik Hamilton)AP3. Oklahoma (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 6<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Beat Temple, 42-3<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: vs. Auburn, 2:30 p.m., ABC<\/p>\n

The Sooners put away a road game in an NFL stadium against a Group of Six opponent early, leading 24-0 by the 10-minute mark of the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Quarterback John Mateer was good again, but it was the defense \u2014 104 yards allowed, including 24 rushing \u2014 that was the story in this one. Now comes the game many in Norman have been anticipating since Arnold transferred to Auburn. Oklahoma took care of business when Michigan visited two weeks ago; we\u2019ll see if Brent Venables\u2019 team has another such performance in store for the Tigers.<\/p>\n

\"FloridaLSU players celebrate an interception by safety Tamarcus Cooley in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo\/Gerald Herbert)AP2. LSU (3-0, 1-0)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 1<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Beat Florida, 20-10<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 6:45 p.m., SEC Network<\/p>\n

That win at Clemson on opening weekend no longer looks that great, and LSU\u2019s offense \u2014 which barely cracked the 300-yard mark vs. Florida \u2014 continues to scuffle along. The Tigers\u2019 defense, however, has been better than expected in the early going. The in-state Lions should be another sacrificial lamb in Death Valley, with Brian Kelly\u2019s team getting another chance to get its act together before a visit to Ole Miss for the SEC opener looms on Sept. 27. <\/p>\n

\"GeorgiaGeorgia wide receiver London Humphreys (16) catches a touchdown pass over Tennessee defensive back Ty Redmond (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo\/George Walker IV)AP1. Georgia (3-0, 1-0)<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s ranking: 2<\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s game: Beat Tennessee, 44-41 (OT)<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s game: Open date<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t the way we\u2019ve seen Kirby Smart\u2019s team win very often during their recent run of success, but the Bulldogs will certainly take a shootout win on the road over a fellow SEC power. Gunnar Stockton made plays with both his arms and his legs, but Georgia\u2019s offensive line needs to be a lot better if this team is going to contend for a national championship. Following an open date, perpetual nemesis Alabama visits Sanford Stadium for the first time in a decade for what will be another early-season level-setter in the league.<\/p>\n

Creg Stephenson has worked for AL.com<\/a> since 2010 and has covered college football for a variety of publications since 1994. Contact him at cstephenson@al.com<\/a> or follow him on Twitter at @CregStephenson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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