The regular season of college football is winding down, but the intensity of the games is only increasing. As each team fights for a spot in the new 12-team College Football Playoff format, the rankings become increasingly more important, with each win or loss meaning more than it did at the beginning of the season. Take a look at this week’s SEC power rankings and see how the conference is shaping up. 

No. 3 Texas

Texas held on to its No. 3 spot after defeating Arkansas 20-10 in Fayetteville and became the SEC team with the best record, sitting at 9–1. Led by junior quarterback Quinn Ewers, the Longhorns seem to have figured out how to work out the kinks that cost them their loss to Georgia. The Longhorns are set to face unranked Kentucky in their last regular season home game on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. 

No. 7 Alabama

The Crimson Tide easily took down Mercer University 52-7 at home last Saturday and moved up two spots in the AP Poll. Junior quarterback Jalen Milroe led the charge, throwing two touchdowns and running for another. Alabama will head to Norman with an 8–2 record to take on Oklahoma this weekend for a conference matchup. 

No. 8 Georgia

Georgia’s 31-17 victory over Tennessee shot it up three places in the AP Poll, keeping its hopes for the College Football Playoff alive. The game drew in the largest viewership for college football of the weekend, peaking at 11.4 million viewers. The Bulldogs also moved to an 8–2 record and will take on the University of Massachusetts on Saturday. 

No. 9 Ole Miss

Ole Miss is up next in the AP Poll, moving up one spot after a bye week that followed its 28-10 win over Georgia. The Rebels also boast an 8–2 record that they will be looking to keep intact as they travel south to Gainesville to battle a struggling University of Florida team. 

No. 10 Tennessee

Tennessee is the only SEC school in the poll to drop a few spots. The Vols’ loss to Georgia shot them down four slots and forced them out of the 12-team playoff bracket — for now. There’s still a chance for re-entry, but it will take some strategic wins on Tennessee’s part and some lucky losses from rival teams to solidify a spot. The Vols will host UT-El Paso on Saturday at 12 p.m. 

No. 15 Texas A&M

Texas A&M remained stagnant at No. 15, even after demolishing New Mexico State 38-3 at home. The Aggies are 8–2 and remain hopeful for a place in the playoffs, despite sitting at the low end of the rankings. On Saturday, Texas A&M will travel to Auburn University. It is critical the Aggies defeat the 4–6 Tigers so their playoff dreams stay alive.