Week 7 within the SEC is within the books, as 13 of the 16 groups took to the sector. It was an thrilling week for SEC groups, seeing some favorites win shut video games, whereas others confirmed domination. Now, it’s time for the Week 8 SEC Soccer Energy Rankings.
1. Alabama (+2)
Alabama is the brand new primary crew within the SEC Energy Rankings. After shedding the primary week of the 12 months, Alabama has been nice. They rebounded to defeat UL Monroe and Wisconsin earlier than dealing with a tough stretch. Regardless, Bama has defeated Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Missouri in consecutive weeks. That provides Alabama three straight wins over ranked groups.
The schedule is just not sort to Alabama from right here on out. The crew needed to host Tennessee earlier than visiting South Carolina. In addition they host LSU and Oklahoma, plus the Iron Bowl on the highway with Auburn. Whereas two of the final three victories have been shut, successful over three ranked groups in a row is a serious feat.
2. Ole Miss (-1)
Ole Miss continues to be a top-five-ranked crew within the AP Ballot and nonetheless top-of-the-line within the SEC. This week was a wrestle, which drops them a spot after the Alabama win. The Rebels are coming off a win. It was a tough recreation with Washington State, with Ole Miss main by simply three going into the halftime break. The Cougars scored on the primary drive of the second half, however Ole Miss would reply later within the third quarter. The Rebels went on to win the sport 24-21.
3. Texas A&M (-1)
Texas A&M has moved to 6-0 on the 12 months. Whereas the crew took the 34-17 victory within the recreation in opposition to Florida, they nonetheless dropped a spot as Alabama has moved up. The Aggies have but to face a serious opponent in SEC play. Whereas they’ve a win over Notre Dame by one level, all three SEC video games have been at house. Additional, the sport in opposition to Auburn was only a six-point recreation.
4. Georgia (+1)
Georgia has rebounded properly from their solely lack of the 12 months. After a 3-0 begin, together with a win over Tennessee, the Bulldogs fell to Alabama. Since then, they’ve defeated each Kentucky and Auburn. The Auburn recreation was on the highway, and the offense was sluggish early. Georgia didn’t rating till 13 seconds left within the first half, as they kicked a discipline objective. Down 10-3 going into the halftime break, the protection took over, and Georgia gained the sport 20-10.
5. LSU (+2)
LSU opened the season at 4-0 till a loss to Ole Miss, dropping them within the SEC Energy Rankings. After per week off, the Tigers returned to motion in opposition to South Carolina. The crew didn’t play amazingly, however did take a 20-10 win. Nonetheless, the offense is turning into worrisome, and now it would face Vanderbilt on the highway in Week 8.
6. Tennessee (+2)
Tennessee might simply be 6-0 on the 12 months. After a 2-0 begin, Tennessee fell to Georgia in its third recreation of the 12 months. Nonetheless, the Vols missed a discipline objective as time expired in that recreation after which misplaced in time beyond regulation. Since then, the Vols have gained three straight. The final two video games haven’t been fairly, with a seven-point win on the highway over Mississippi State after which a three-point win over Arkansas at house.
Regardless, the crew is successful, and that retains them as one of many high groups within the convention. In Week 8, they go to Alabama. A win might catapult them in the direction of the playoffs, however a loss might expose the Vols for who they really are.
7. Missouri (-3)
Missouri is coming off its first lack of the 12 months. After a 5-0 begin, Missouri had simply confronted one SEC opponent. They’d defeated South Carolina 29-20. Missouri confronted Alabama this previous weekend. Missouri scored first within the recreation, however could be down by seven getting into the halftime break. Missouri tied the sport within the third quarter, however then fell behind within the second half. The Tigers fell within the recreation 27-24 to the Crimson Tide.
8. Vanderbilt (+1)
Vanderbilt is coming off an open week. After a 5-0 begin, the Commodores fell to Alabama of their final recreation. Now, Vanderbilt will host LSU in Week 8. A win might put them in a spot to contend within the SEC, however a loss might make them an afterthought within the convention.
9. Texas (+2)
Texas is coming off a large win. Texas misplaced in Week 6 to the Florida Gators, and the seat underneath Steve Sarkisian was getting hotter. It was a defensive battle early in opposition to Oklahoma, with the Longhorns main simply 6-3. Within the second half, Texas scored on the primary drive, but it surely was a particular groups play that modified the sport. Ryan Niblett returned a punt for a landing to provide Texas a 20-6 lead within the fourth quarter. Texas would add a discipline objective and win the sport 23-6.
10. Oklahoma (-4)
Oklahoma welcomed again John Mateer, but it surely was not sufficient to get them a win in Crimson River. The Sooners are nonetheless 5-1 on the 12 months, with wins over Michigan and Auburn. Nonetheless, the crew has a tough schedule in entrance of them. The Sooners will face South Carolina in Week 8, earlier than video games with Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and LSU to finish the season.
11. Florida (-1)
Billy Napier might have saved his job final week, because the Gators defeated the Longhorns 29-21. This week, Florida had an opportunity to make a press release, however took one other loss. This previous week, Florida confronted Texas A&M, falling within the recreation 34-17. The Gators at the moment are at a crossroads of the season. At 2-4, the crew can nonetheless make a bowl recreation, however might additionally end within the depths of the convention. After dealing with Mississippi State in Week 8, the crew nonetheless has to play Georgia, Ole Miss, and Tennessee.
12. Mississippi State (-)
Mississippi State is coming off an open week, leading to a static place within the SEC Energy Rankings. After a 4-0 begin, the crew misplaced in time beyond regulation to Tennessee. They’d be dominated by Texas A&M. The following three weeks will determine the place they fall within the convention pecking order. Week 8 is a destiny with Florida, earlier than internet hosting Texas. Then the crew visits Arkansas. A 2-1 run might transfer them up the rankings, however a 0-3 run might put them close to the SEC basement.
13. Auburn (-)
Auburn began the 12 months 3-0, with wins over Baylor, Ball State, and South Alabama. Since then, Hugh Freeze has put himself on the new seat. They’ve but to win a recreation in SEC play, and simply misplaced their third straight. Auburn is coming off a loss to Georgia. Whereas none have been blowouts, all have been between six and 10 factors; Auburn nonetheless can not defeat an SEC opponent. It doesn’t get simpler in Week 8, as they host Missouri in Week 8.
14. Arkansas (+2)
Arkansas is coming off a formidable loss, resulting in its bounce within the energy rankings. The crew is simply 2-4, with wins over Alabama A&M and Arkansas State. Nonetheless, they’re coming off 4 straight losses. It was the primary recreation of the Bobby Petrino period, half two. The Razorbacks saved the sport shut with Tennessee and scored with 2:55 left within the recreation to make it a three-point recreation. Nonetheless, Arkansas couldn’t get the ball again and fell by three factors to a top-25 crew. The Razorbacks have an opportunity to make a press release at house this week, dealing with Texas A&M at house.
15. South Carolina (-1)
South Carolina began the 12 months 2-0, however has not been nice since. The crew is coming off a loss to LSU, however by simply ten factors. Whereas the Gamecocks are 1-3 in convention play, two of the three losses have been inside ten factors. Regardless, the schedule is hard. They’ve Oklahoma this week, earlier than video games with Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. South Carolina has a large vary of outcomes, from nonetheless being a serious participant within the SEC to lacking a bowl recreation.
16. Kentucky (-1)
Kentucky is the worst crew within the SEC, and it could be time to maneuver on from Mark Stoops. Kentucky is coming off an open week, however has additionally struggled in SEC play generally. They’re now 0-3 in convention play and have misplaced their final two video games by three scores. Now, the Wildcats will host Texas in Week 8.