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While not necessarily as chaotic as a week ago, the SEC's Week 8 slate was still one loaded with notable takeaways.
This past Saturday, the SEC was home to one of college football's most anticipated Week 8 matchups as Texas was at home against Ole Miss in a top 25 showdown. The conference also had four teams on a bye week, as well as four ranked programs played an unranked opponent, two of which were away from home.
As a result of these matchups, the SEC saw two upsets take place across the conference, one of which came on the final play of the game. One of the SEC's other ranked teams also narrowly avoided a potential upset, doing so with a dominant fourth quarter.
Here is a look at the latest SEC football power rankings coming out of Week 8, which features a new No. 1 atop the conference for the second consecutive week.
Vanderbilt (3-5 overall, 0-5 SEC) dropped their fifth consecutive game Saturday at Kentucky, 34-17. Despite leading early, the Commodores could not overcome two turnovers, and posted only 262 yards of total offense for the game overall.
The Commodores have lost five-straight entering a bye week.
Arkansas (3-4, 1-3) was the first of four SEC teams not in action Saturday due to a bye week. The Razorbacks will host Missouri in Week 9.
Mississippi State (4-3, 2-3) suffered a 23-15 loss at home Saturday to Oklahoma. The Bulldogs saw Fluff Bothwell rush for 100+ yards in his return from injury, but could not overcome two turnovers, as well as a 1-of-11 showing on third downs.
Having lost three-straight, the Bulldogs travel to Texas in Week 9.
Auburn (4-3, 2-3) was dominated on their home field Saturday via a 38-17 loss against LSU. The Tigers offensive line struggled mightily by surrendering seven sacks to LSU, and fell behind early in a significant deficit, eventually trailing 31-10 entering halftime.
Another tough test awaits Auburn in Week 9, a road trip to Ole Miss.
Texas A&M (4-4, 1-4) fell Saturday on the road at Alabama, 31-20. The Aggies carried a lead into the fourth quarter in Tuscaloosa, but were shutout in the game's final 15 minutes with the Tide taking over late.
A bye week awaits Texas A&M.
Oklahoma (4-3, 2-2) picked up a big road win at Mississippi State on Saturday, 23-15. The Sooners defense forced a pair of turnovers in the win, while also receiving big games from John Mateer and Isaiah Sategna III offensively.
Returning home, the Sooners host South Carolina in Week 9.
South Carolina (4-3, 2-3) had one of the SEC's biggest wins of Week 8 as the Gamecocks upset Tennessee on the game's final play, 27-24. That play was a 48-yard field goal from Malik Orsan, which sealed a huge South Carolina win that was led by three total touchdowns from quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
The Gamecocks will travel to Oklahoma in Week 9.
Texas (5-2, 2-2) picked up a needed win Saturday by holding off a furious Ole Miss second half comeback, 34-27. The Longhorns blew a 24-3 second half lead in the contest, but were able to reclaim the lead late to come away with the win by intercepting a pass on the final play.
Remaining at home, the Longhorns will host Mississippi State in Week 9.
Florida (5-2, 3-2) did not play Saturday due to a bye week. The Gators travel to Atlanta for a massive rivalry game against Georgia in Week 9.
Missouri (5-2, 2-2) did not play Saturday due to a bye week. The Tigers travel to Arkansas in Week 9.
Alabama (6-2, 4-2) was back in the win column Saturday with a 31-20 victory at home over Texas A&M. The Tide were led by three touchdown passes from Keelon Russell, and dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Aggies 14-0 in the game's final frame to pull away.
A bye week awaits the Crimson Tide.
Tennessee (6-2, 3-2) fell on the road at South Carolina on Saturday afternoon, 27-24. Despite another big game from DeSean Bishop, the Volunteers were largely shutout offensively in the second half, and had a costly fumble late in the game which set up the winning field goal for South Carolina as time expired.
The Volunteers now enter a bye week.
Ole Miss (5-2, 3-2) nearly pulled off the memorable comeback Saturday night at Texas falling to the Longhorns, 34-27. The Rebels were playing catch up nearly the entire game, but still had a chance to tie the matchup in the game's final seconds, even despite three Trinidad Chambliss interceptions.
Next up is a home game against Auburn.
LSU (6-2, 3-2) had one of the SEC's most impressive wins in Week 8 by defeating Auburn in Jordan-Hare Stadium, 38-17. A dominant showing, the Tigers racked up 552 yards of total offense, received four total touchdowns from Sam Leavitt, and had seven sacks against the Auburn offensive front.
The Tigers now enter a bye week.
Kentucky (7-1, 5-1) continued their winning ways Saturday with a 34-17 home win over Vanderbilt. The Wildcats defense forced two turnovers while holding Vanderbilt to 262 total yards of offense, and went on to own the second half with a 20-7 edge over the final two quarters.
A bye week awaits the Wildcats.
Georgia (6-1, 4-1) was the SEC's final team not in action Saturday due to a bye week. Returning to the No. 1 spot, the Bulldogs will be in Atlanta this Saturday for a rivalry showdown with Florida.
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