Just two SEC teams have one loss in conference play so far: the Georgia Bulldogs and Kentucky Wildcats. The SEC has had a lot of carnage this season and that did not stop in Week 8. Fortunately for the SEC's College Football Playoff hopes, several top-10 teams lost in Week 8 including BYU and Texas Tech.
The Texas Longhorns earned a huge SEC home win over the Ole Miss Rebels to stay alive in the SEC championship hunt. Texas quarterback Arch Manning watched from the sidelines as Ole Miss had one final heave to the end zone, which Texas intercepted to seal a 34-27 win.
South Carolina upset Tennessee to deliver a second loss to Tennessee, who lost 27-24 on the road. Kentucky, who has the best record in SEC play at 5-1 earned a big win over Vanderbilt and has just three conference games. If Kentucky wins out, then the Wildcats are guaranteed a spot in the SEC championship.
Alabama turned things around with a 14-0 fourth quarter to beat Texas A&M. Alabama had lost two straight games entering Saturday. Oklahoma beat Mississippi State, who suffered a third consecutive loss.
The LSU Tigers and coach Lane Kiffin dominated the Auburn Tigers in a 38-17 win that was not as close as the score suggests. LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 387 yards and three touchdowns in LSU's impressive road win. Auburn upset No. 1 Georgia last week, but clearly is not a contender. LSU contrarily looks like a contender, but has a tough remaining schedule.
Georgia, Florida, Missouri and Arkansas all had byes in Week 8. Georgia and Florida will play against each other next week in Atlanta.
SEC football power rankings after Week 8
- Georgia Bulldogs (6-1)
- Texas Longhorns (5-2)
- Alabama Crimson Tide (5-2)
- Ole Miss Rebels (5-2)
- Kentucky Wildcats (7-1)
- LSU Tigers (6-2)
- Tennessee Volunteers (6-2)
- Missouri Tigers (5-2)
- Florida Gators (5-2)
- Oklahoma Sooners (4-3)
- Auburn Tigers (4-3)
- South Carolina Gamecocks (4-3)
- Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-3)
- Texas A&M Aggies (4-4)
- Arkansas Razorbacks (3-4)
- Vanderbilt Commodores (3-5)
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: SEC power rankings have a new No. 1 after Week 8 carnage