Oklahoma and Texas fans are still relatively new to the SEC. They should get used to this: every week a team falls out of the top five in the league’s hierarchy.
The Sooners are this week’s victim after falling to the preseason No. 1 Longhorns, a team that, itself, suffered the same fall from grace earlier this year.
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Such a drop isn’t a death knell. It’s just the SEC, a league that has been the top of college football for 20 years. Just about any team in the top 10 of the conference at this point of the season still has a shot at the College Football Playoff. And with upsets every week, it could, literally, be any of the teams.
In Week 8, for example, Georgia, Ole Miss, LSU and Alabama all play the sort of game that can knock a team from its perch.
In the meantime, here’s how the power rankings stand after Week 7.
Alabama has now knocked off top-20 opponents in consecutive weeks. Both times doing so in games that needed the fourth quarter to determine the winner. The Crimson Tide have stick-to-it-ive-ness. Another big test waits in Week 8 at home against Tennessee.
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Georgia Bulldogs running back Nate Frazier (3) runs the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. Georgia Bulldogs defeated Auburn Tigers 20-10.
Georgia did what it needed to on the road against Auburn on Saturday. It wasn’t the most glimmering of offensive performances, but the Tigers’ defense isn’t half bad. A win over Ole Miss in Week 8 would probably allow the Bulldogs and Rebels to swap places.
It took a while for Texas A&M to put away Florida on Saturday, but put them away the Aggies did. A 17-point win is strong. A&M faces Arkansas in Week 8 and have lost to the Razorbacks just once since 2012.
4. Ole Miss Rebels (4)
Oct 11, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back Jaylon Braxton (2) reacts after a pass breakup during the fourth quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Washington State put a scare into Ole Miss on Saturday. The Rebels managed just a three-point win against a team without a conference. Not a terrible team, but still. Lane Kiffin’s bunch will need to be stronger against Georgia next time out.
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In a game similar to Georgia’s win over Auburn, LSU did just enough offensively to overcome South Carolina on Saturday. The Tigers’ offense still has issues, though they did run the ball better against the Gamecocks. They’ll need everything they have on the road against Vanderbilt in Week 8.
Tennessee linebacker Jadon Perlotte (27) picks up a fumbled ball during the NCAA college football game against Arkansas on Oct. 11, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Tennessee won the turnover battle, 3-0, and lost the penalty margin, 10-1. Makes sense, then, the Volunteers’ won by only three points against Arkansas in Week 7. The defense has to give up far less than the nearly 500 allowed against the Razorbacks when the Vols head to Alabama next week.
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7. Texas Longhorns (12)
For the mediocrity Texas had shown through its first five games, Saturday’s win over Oklahoma made the Longhorns finally look like the preseason No. 1 team in the country. They’re a bit late to their own party and will need to keep winning to get back into the playoff hunt. The good news for them is that Kentucky awaits.
8. Oklahoma Sooners (4)
Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Parker Livingstone (13) is tackled by the Oklahoma Sooners defense during the first half at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
As good as the Oklahoma defense has been this season, the offense, even with John Mateer at the helm, hasn’t always looked sharp against quality opponents. That was the case Saturday against the Longhorns. Week 8’s road trip to South Carolina could present a problem.
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9. Missouri Tigers (8)
It’s almost unfair to Missouri that the Tigers are ranked ninth in these SEC Power Rankings but will probably be in the top 15, at least the top 20, when the polls are released. They fought Alabama to the wire. If Mizzou plays like that again Saturday at Auburn, it will continue to be in the hunt.
Vanderbilt was off Saturday and didn’t move. Back to the grind in Week 8 as LSU comes to visit. Can the Commodores keep up the parade?
11. Florida Gators (11)
Oct 11, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier walks off the field after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
The Gators returned to earth after last week’s win over Texas. But a home game against Mississippi State in Week 8 should provide some balm. Depending, of course, on which Florida team shows up.
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12. Auburn Tigers (10)
No doubt that Auburn is improved over last year. But right now, it’s not enough to get it on the right side of the ledger. Saturday’s battle between two Tigers should be a good one.
Patrick Peyton 6, LSU Tigers take on the South Carolina Gamecocks. October 11, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium.
South Carolina’s brutal stretch continues Saturday as Oklahoma visits Columbia. One thing is certain, Shane Beamer’s team will play its opposition hard. If Oklahoma comes with a vengeance, though, it will be tough for the home squad.
14. Mississippi State Bulldogs (14)
A bowl. That’s Mississippi State’s goal this year after going winless in SEC play last season. The Bulldogs are to four wins and travel to two-win Florida. But the Gators will be favored in the Swamp.
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15. Arkansas Razorbacks (15)
Arkansas interim coach Bobby Petrino during the NCAA college football game against Tennessee on Oct. 11, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The Razorbacks nearly pulled the upset of Tennessee for a second straight year. But ‘nearly’ has been the theme of the program for four seasons now. ARkansas has to pull the upset against Texas A&M to signal any success this year.
16. Kentucky Wildcats (16)
Kentucky wants to play spoiler. Upsetting Texas the week after the Longhorns beat Oklahoma would be a spoiler.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Updated SEC Football Power Rankings after Week 7
