Arkansas, Vanderbilt win but slide in the SEC Power Ranking

The Hogs drop one place despite a convincing victory over Alabama A&M.
Aug 30, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Mike Washington Jr (4) rushes during the fourth quarter against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Aug 30, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Mike Washington Jr (4) rushes during the fourth quarter against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Week one wasn't a great showing for the SEC, and the SEC Power Rankings reflect it. The conference lost a third of its six games against Power Four opponents, including a clash of Titans between No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State.

The Longhorns were the AP Poll No. 1 team to start the season for the first time in history, but the supposed 'next great quarterback,' Arch Manning, looked shell-shocked by the end of the game. Texas certainly dropped the ball, but it wasn't the worst loss of the day.

Another SEC heavyweight, Alabama, took on a Florida State team that won only two games in 2024, and walked out of Tallahassee with a loss. Some Crimson Tide fans are already calling for Kalen DeBoer's job, while others are still coming to grips with Alabama’s new reality in college football.

Outside of those two setbacks, the SEC mostly handled its business. Auburn, LSU, South Carolina, and Tennessee all knocked off their Power Four opponents, while Ole Miss, Florida, Arkansas, and Missouri each hung 50-plus points on their FCS or Group of Five foes. The lone struggler was Kentucky, which squeaked past Toledo 24-16. However, that doesn't mean teams were saved from moving down.

Auburn's win against Baylor was impressive enough to jump Vanderbilt and Arkansas to move to No. 12 in the Razorbackers SEC power rankings.

SEC Football Power Rankings: Week one

  1. LSU , Prev. Ranking: 3
  2. Georgia, Prev. Ranking: 2
  3. Ole Miss, Prev. Ranking: 5
  4. Texas, Prev. Ranking: 1
  5. South Carolina, Prev. Ranking: 6
  6. Tennessee, Prev. Ranking: 7
  7. Alabama, Prev. Ranking: 4
  8. Florida, Prev. Ranking: 8
  9. Oklahoma, Prev. Ranking: 9
  10. Texas A&M, Prev. Ranking: 10
  11. Missouri, Prev. Ranking: 11
  12. Auburn, Prev. Ranking: 14
  13. Vanderbilt, Prev. Ranking: 12
  14. Arkansas, Prev. Ranking: 13
  15. Mississippi St ., Prev. Ranking: 16
  16. Kentucky, Prev. Ranking: 15