Conference play started last weekend for a couple of teams as South Carolina defeated Kentucky. Heading into week three, six teams will start their SEC season.
No. 1 Georgia: The Bulldogs have been in the AP Poll top 10 for 52 consecutive weeks and have occupied the top spot for the past 22. Georgia faced a ranked opponent to kick off the season, but had no issues defeating No. 22 Clemson in the opener 34-3. Their ease was even more evident in week two playing unranked Tennessee Tech, holding the rivals to a single field goal and scoring 48 points. Georgia will face Kentucky in Lexington next in the pursuit of another conference title after falling to Alabama in 2023.
No. 2 Texas: The Longhorns were under pressure in week two as they faced the defending national champions, Michigan. Nonetheless, Texas silenced the Big House and came out with a dominant 31-12 win, moving up to the second spot of the AP Poll — its highest ranking since 2009. Before the start of conference play, Texas had two more Group of Five opponents in UTSA and the University of Louisiana Monroe at home. Georgia and Texas face each other on Oct. 19 in what could be a deciding game for the conference’s top spot.
No. 4 Alabama: The reigning conference champions also had no problems setting the scene in the opening two games. In week one, the Crimson Tide shut Western Kentucky out in a similar fashion as the Longhorns with Colorado State with a 63-0 win. Alabama started the season at No. 5, but moved up to fourth in week two, maintaining the position going into week three.
No. 5 Ole Miss: In talks of shutouts, Ole Miss had a good one in the opening game with a 76-0 win over Furman. The Rebels started the season at No. 6, but the win earned them a spot in the top-5, confirmed by a 52-3 week two win over Middle Tennessee. Up next for Ole Miss is Wake Forest on the road.
No. 6 Missouri: Mizzou climbed up the ranks since AP first released the 2024 polls. Starting at No. 11 after wrapping up the 2023 season at No. 8, the Tigers have yet to lose. Missouri opened the season against Murray State with a 51-0 win and kept the streak going with a 38-0 win over Buffalo. The team will be facing its first ranked opponent of the season in No. 24 Boston College at home on Saturday, Sept. 14.
No. 7 Tennessee: The Volunteers also moved up in week three. Heading into the first matchup against Chattanooga, Tennessee was ranked No. 15, and moved up one spot after defeating the Mocs 69-3. The large jump from No. 14 to No. 7 came following a 51-10 win against NC State in Charlotte. The Vols will aim for another dominant win on Saturday against Kent State.
No. 15 Oklahoma: Texas’ fellow conference newcomers are undefeated this season, but not as comfortably as they would like. Though the Sooners defeated Temple 51-3 in their opening match, their second win over Houston was close. The Cougars, Oklahoma’s former conference partners in the Big 12, managed to almost even the game, but a four point difference allowed the Sooners to take the win. Nonetheless, the win was enough to keep Oklahoma in the No. 15 position.
No. 16 LSU: The Tigers will kick off conference play at No. 16 after moving around the ranking in the first two weeks. LSU started the season with a loss to USC, dropping from No. 13 to No. 18. The team managed to climb up two spots after defeating Nicholls 44-21 in week two, and will definitely have its eyes set on a good win against South Carolina to move 1–0 in the SEC.
