SEC Power Rankings: Texas Longhorns Slip After Uninspiring Performance

The Texas Longhorns' 16-13 overtime win over the Kentucky Wildcats was just about the most uninspiring victory in recent memory.

Arch Manning and the Longhorns' offense, who have been under fire for most of the season, were simply dreadful against the Wildcats, finishing with fewer than 200 total yards in the game. The defense and special teams units were better, but going to overtime against one of the worst teams in the SEC is just an awful showing for a team with championship aspirations.

Unsurprisingly, this performance has an effect on the Longhorns' placement in our SEC power rankings, so let's dive right in.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (6-1 Overall, 4-0 SEC)

Last Week: 2
Week 8 Result: 37-20 win vs. Tennessee

The Crimson Tide now have four-straight wins over opponents in the top 20 of the AP Poll, and those teams are a combined 23-1 against opponents not named Alabama. Kalen DeBoer's team looked dead in the water after Week 1, but now looks like one of the best in all of college football, and that's something special.

2. Texas A&M Aggies (7-0, 4-0)

Last Week: 1
Week 8 Result: 45-42 win at Arkansas

It seems that the Aggies' offense and defense alternate which one will be good any given week. It was the offense's turn against Arkansas, and it was great, but allowing 42 points and 527 total yards to an SEC bottom feeder - even one with a strong offense - isn't a great look. Texas A&M is7-0 for the first time in over 30 years, but the consistency still needs some work.

3. Georgia Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1)

Last Week: 4
Week 8 Result: 43-35 win vs. Ole Miss

Georgia might just be the most resilient team in the country. The Bulldogs trailed by nine entering the fourth quarter against Ole Miss, but reeled off 17 unanswered points to earn another comeback victory. Gunner Stockton was terrific as well, throwing four touchdowns with only five incompletions.

4. Ole Miss Rebels (6-1, 3-1)

Last Week: 3
Week 8 Result: 43-35 win at Ole Miss

The Rebels were unstoppable early on against Georgia, scoring touchdowns on each of their first five possessions to take a two-score lead into halftime. Unfortunately for them, the offense went cold when it mattered most, picking up just one first down in the final quarter. That's to say nothing of the defense, which didn't force a single punt all day.

5. Vanderbilt Commodores (6-1, 2-1)

Last Week: 10
Week 8 Result: 31-24 win vs. LSU

Vanderbilt proved once again that it can compete with the SEC's top dogs in a statement victory over LSU. Diego Pavia scored three total touchdowns (one passing, two rushing) and the defense made life difficult for Garrett Nussmeier and co.

6. Oklahoma Sooners (6-1, 2-1)

Last Week: 9
Week 8 Result: 26-7 win at South Carolina

The Sooners bounced back from last week's loss to Texas by trouncing South Carolina on the road. John Mateer threw for just 150 yards, but Oklahoma's defense was dominant once again, allowing just 224 total yards and forcing two turnovers.

7. Missouri Tigers (6-1, 2-1)

Last Week: 7
Week 8 Result: 23-17 win at Auburn

It was an ugly game at Jordan-Hare Stadium, but Missouri was able to emerge with a victory in double overtime. Beau Pribula partially made up for his two interceptions by scoring the game-winning rushing touchdown in the second overtime, but he'll have to be better against stronger competition.

8. Tennessee Volunteers (5-2, 2-2)

Last Week: 5
Week 8 Result: 37-20 loss at Alabama

The Volunteers haven't won in Tuscaloosa since 2003, and their latest trip to their house of horrors ended the same way as the last 10. The sequence just before halftime, where Joey Aguilar threw a 99-yard pick-six, pretty much doomed Tennessee right then and there.

9. Texas Longhorns (5-2, 2-1)