SEC Power Poll, Week 8: Cracks

1. Alabama Crimson Tide, 139 points (9 first-place votes)
2. Florida Gators, 131 (1)
3. LSU Tigers, 119
4. South Carolina Gamecocks, 106
5. Mississippi St. Bulldogs, 98
6. Georgia Bulldogs, 95
7. Texas A&M Aggies, 82
8. Arkansas Razorbacks, 57
9. Vanderbilt Commodores, 56
10. Mississippi Rebels, 54
11. Tennessee Volunteers, 50
12. Missouri Tigers, 32
13. Kentucky Wildcats, 17
14. Auburn Tigers, 14

Aside from the end of Alabama's headlock on the No. 1 votes in the poll, the big story would appear to be the rising stocks of Mississippi State (up one), Arkansas (up one) and Vanderbilt (up two). The quietest undefeated SEC season in quite some time is now being heard by our bloggers, while the early drops of Arkansas and Vanderbilt now seem a bit excessive.

Meanwhile, Auburn and Kentucky swap spots at the bottom of the poll. Losing to Vanderbilt while the other guy comes within five points of Georgia will do that to you.

Voters?

ALABAMA

Tell me something, Tide fans: does week after week excellence get boring?--Get the Picture

Another week, same result. It is like playing Madden on the easy level.--Leftover Hot Dog

ARKANSAS

It will be interesting to see what the Razorbacks do down the stretch. What an odd scenario with a strange contract for a coach and bankruptcy surrounding the coach.--For Whom the Cowbell Tolls

They might actually salvage this season. The Hogs don't look nearly as hopeless as they did a month ago.--And the Valley Shook

AUBURN

With Lutzenkircken's injury, Auburn loses the only player anyone else might feel bad for. Bring on the schadenfreude!--And the Valley Shook

If you listen carefully, you can hear Bobby Petrino practicing saying, "War Eagle!"--Dawg Sports

FLORIDA

My dad said on Sunday that, in marked contrast to the Fun 'n' Gun years, this year's Florida team is no fun at all to watch. I don't know: If your defense can force the other team into so many catastrophic errors that you can ring up a 33-point victory despite amassing only 183 net yards of offense, that sounds kind of awesome to me.--SB Nation Atlanta

The Gators are making a serious case to be team 1A in the SEC instead of the second best team in the conference.--For Whom the Cowbell Tolls

GEORGIA

When's the last time a team did so little to earn a fresh start at all its goals?--Get the Picture

At some point teams that always play their C- game are just C- teams.--Georgia Sports Blog

KENTUCKY

The Wildcats keep playing hard, and they have many young faces playing. It may not help Joker Phillips keep his job, but it could be a bunch of fun for Kentucky fans in a few years.--For Whom the Cowbell Tolls

Showed they can play a full game of football. If they do that, Joker's season won't be so terrible when all is said and done.--Georgia Sports Blog

LSU

Why do the Tigers even throw the football? The odds of something good happening are slim and none.--For Whom the Cowbell Tolls

At some point in the distant past, a sage told Les Miles it was better to be lucky than good, and he replied: "Yeah, but why not both?"--Dawg Sports

MISSISSIPPI

It's been a fun ride for Hugh Freeze so far in his first year, but look at that schedule: The Rebels could conceivably go oh-fer the rest of the season.--SBN Atlanta

As long as Ole Miss can avoid the shotgun on 4th and 1, they have a chance to make a bowl game. That is an amazing accomplishment this year.--For Whom the Cowbell Tolls

MISSISSIPPI STATE

Well, the easy schedule stops now.--And the Valley Shook

Quite possibly the worst 7-0 team since Kansas State, circa 1995.--Georgia Sports Blog

MISSOURI

The Tigers should win this weekend against Kentucky, but even if they do, they've got to split their November games (Syracuse at home, Florida, Tennessee and A&M on the road) just to make a bowl. Probably not how they thought their first season in the SEC was going to go.--SBN Atlanta

The Big 12 defense thing has gone from a funny joke to sad reality.--Georgia Sports Blog

SOUTH CAROLINA

Pretty much received the same treatment in the Swamp that they dished out to Georgia in Columbia a couple weeks ago. Yup, it sucks.--SBN Atlanta

The downward spiral has to end...right?--Leftover Hot Dog

TENNESSEE

Time to bring out the lucky orange pants.--Leftover Hot Dog

They end October with a recently humiliated South Carolina squad that is looking to make someone pay. Probably another good week for Dooley to keep the crutches.--Georgia Sports Blog

TEXAS A&M

Live by the hot-shot rookie quarterback, die by the hot-shot rookie quarterback.--Get the Picture

Have they considered falling behind early and using the second half to come back?--Dawg Sports

VANDERBILT

Looking at their remaining schedule, it's likely Vandy is going to go bowling again.--And the Valley Shook

Bowl hopes are hanging by the barest of threads.--Georgia Sports Blog