SEC Power Rankings: Where Ole Miss, Alabama sit following Week 3 wins

SEC Power Rankings: Where Ole Miss, Alabama sit following Week 3 wins

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

SEC Power Rankings: Where Ole Miss, Alabama sit following Week 3 wins

A slate of games headlined by one of college football's most anticipated matchups of the entire season, Week 3 in the SEC certainly delivered.

The SEC's Week 3 slate was headlined by Ole Miss and LSU meeting in not only Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford, but also a Top 10 matchup. Conference play also began for a number of teams across the SEC, with a few in particular going on to pick up huge road wins.

There were also a number of teams in nonconference action, headlined by a SEC-ACC showdown in Tuscaloosa.

Here is a look at how those results impacted the latest SEC power rankings entering Week 4 of the 2026 season.

16. Arkansas Razorbacks

Sep 19, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Sutton Smith (5) runs with the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 16

Arkansas (1-2 overall, 0-1 SEC) suffered a second consecutive defeat Saturday afternoon at home against Georgia, 45-17. The Razorbacks did not score a touchdown until the fourth quarter in the loss, and were dominated in terms of rushing yards by the Bulldogs, 254-17.

One final nonconference game awaits the Razorbacks in Week 4 against Tulsa at home.

15. South Carolina Gamecocks

Sep 19, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) passes Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Kendel Dolby (3) in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 14

South Carolina (2-1, 0-1) fell at home Saturday afternoon to Mississippi State, 41-34. The Gamecocks originally held a lead at halftime, but were outscored 27-11 in the second half.

Next up is a road trip to Tuscaloosa in Week 4 for South Carolina's toughest test yet.

14. Auburn Tigers

Sep 19, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) throws a pass as Florida Gators linebacker Jaden Robinson (29) closes in during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 12

Auburn (2-1, 0-1) suffered their first loss of the season at home Saturday night to Florida, 44-39. The Tigers were led by a four touchdown showing from quarterback Byrum Brown, but struggled on defense by allowing 495 total yards.

Week 4 will bring a third consecutive home game for Auburn, coming against Vanderbilt.

13. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) evades NC State linebacker Sterling Dixon (25) during the fourth quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.

  • Previous Ranking: No. 13

Vanderbilt (3-0, 0-0) concluded nonconference play with a 35-31 home win over NC State, winning the game in the final seconds by recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. Jared Curtis threw three touchdowns during the win, but Vanderbilt also struggled with three turnovers, as well as committing 13 penalties as a team.

The Commodores' first SEC game comes in Week 4 on the road at Auburn.

12. Kentucky Wildcats

Sep 19, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey (3) looks to throw the ball during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 15

Kentucky (2-1, 1-1) was easily among the SEC's biggest takeaways of Week 3, as the Wildcats upset Texas A&M in College Station, 31-21. The Wildcats used a big third quarter to pull ahead for the win, as well as two touchdowns each from Kenny Minchey and CJ Baxter.

A nonconference home game against South Alabama awaits the Wildcats in Week 4.

11. Missouri Tigers

Sep 19, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Jamal Roberts (20) runs the ball as Troy Trojans safety Justin Powe (6) attempts the tackle during the second half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 9

Missouri (3-0, 0-0) concluded nonconference play Saturday with a 27-17 home win over Troy. The Tigers racked up only 230 total yards in the win, and used a big second quarter to eventually propel themselves to a win, as well as a big showing on the ground from Jamal Roberts.

Next up for the undefeated Tigers is a road trip to Mississippi State.

10. Oklahoma Sooners

Sep 19, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) runs with the ball as New Mexico Lobos safety Austin Brawley (0) defends during the first quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 8

Despite the win, Oklahoma's (2-1, 0-0) Week 3 result was among the SEC's most surprising, a 14-6 home win over New Mexico. The Sooners struggled in particular with turnovers in the win by committing three, two of which were John Mateer interceptions.

Oklahoma travels to Georgia in Week 4 for a challenging SEC opener.

9. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Sep 19, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) passes against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 11

Mississippi State (3-0, 1-0) remained unbeaten with a 41-34 road win Saturday at South Carolina. Kamario Taylor led the way with four passing touchdowns, with the Bulldogs claiming the lead late with a huge second half.

The Bulldogs return home in Week 4 for arguably their toughest test yet against Missouri.

8. Florida Gators

Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) and quarterback Aaron Philo (12) celebrate a touchdown as Auburn Tigers take on Florida Gators at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Florida Gators defeated Auburn Tigers 44-39.

  • Previous Ranking: No. 10

Florida (3-0, 1-0) got an early statement win of the Jon Sumrall era by defeating Auburn in Jordan-Hare, 44-39. A game the Gators essentially led throughout, Jadan Baugh had a monster showing on the plains by rushing for 162 yards and three touchdowns.

The Gators return home in Week 4 for a high-profile SEC showdown against Ole Miss.

7. Texas A&M Aggies

Sep 19, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) runs the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 5

Texas A&M (2-1, 0-1) suffered their first loss of the season Saturday afternoon at home with a 31-21 upset loss to Kentucky. The Aggies could not overcome a big third quarter from the Wildcats in the loss, as well as two Marcel Reed interceptions.

Next up for Texas A&M is a trip to Baton Rouge in arguably the SEC's headline game of Week 4.

6. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon (11) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop (18) during Tennessee’s college football game against Kennesaw State at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Sept. 19, 2026.

  • Previous Ranking: No. 7

Tennessee (3-0, 0-0) concluded nonconference play by cruising to a 42-9 home win over Kennesaw State. The Vols ran for 268 yards during the win, and received two touchdowns from quarterback Faizon Brandon.

Next up is Tennessee's toughest test yet as Texas comes to Knoxville this upcoming Saturday afternoon.

5. Alabama Crimson Tide

Sep 19, 2026; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell (12) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles during the second half at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 6

Alabama (3-0, 1-0) played arguably the SEC's biggest nonconference matchup of Week 3, defeating Florida State at home, 50-36. Keelon Russell's four touchdowns led a big offensive showing for Alabama, racking up 567 total yards against the Seminoles.

The Crimson Tide return to SEC play in Week 4, hosting South Carolina.

4. LSU Tigers

Tigers Quarterback Sam Leavitt 10, The Ole Miss Rebels take on the LSU Tigers. September 19, 2026; Oxford, MS, USA; at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

  • Previous Ranking: No. 4

LSU (2-1, 0-1) suffered their first loss of the season Saturday at Ole Miss, 32-24. The Tigers, who were led by two touchdowns from quarterback Sam Leavitt, made things interesting late with a comeback to tie the game, but went on to fall on the road.

Lane Kiffin's Tigers return home in Week 4 for another big showdown against Texas A&M.

3. Ole Miss Rebels

Sep 19, 2026; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) passes the ball against the Louisiana State Tigers during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 3

Ole Miss (3-0, 1-0) won the SEC's headline game of Week 3 by defeating LSU in Oxford, 32-24. Trinidad Chambliss led the Rebels in the win by accounting for three total touchdowns, one of which was the decisive score late in the fourth quarter.

The Rebels first true road game comes in Week 4 at Florida.

2. Texas Longhorns

Sep 19, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) looks to pass the ball while defended by by UTSA Roadrunners defensive lineman Jeremiah Bailey (0) and linebacker Owen Pewee (2) during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 2

Texas (3-0, 0-0) remained undefeated Saturday with a 30-6 win over UTSA. The Longhorns were led by two touchdown passes from Arch Manning, both of which went to Cam Coleman.

Week 4 is the first time Texas will travel this season. The Longhorns face Tennessee in Knoxville.

1. Georgia Bulldogs

Sep 19, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Chauncey Bowens (5) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 1

Georgia (3-0, 1-0) holds the top spot yet again this week following a 45-17 road win at Arkansas. Headlined by three rushing touchdowns from Chauncey Bowens, the Bulldogs rushed for 254 yards in the win, while Georgia's defense also made an impact, limiting the Razorbacks to only 17 yards on the ground.

The Bulldogs' toughest test yet will come in Week 4 as they host Oklahoma in Athens.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: SEC Power Rankings: Where Ole Miss, Alabama sit following Week 3 wins

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos