After another chaotic week across the Southeastern Conference, a new program has emerged at No. 1 in this week’s updated conference power rankings.
In one of the most electrifying contests of the weekend, Alabama handed Georgia head coach Kirby Smart his seventh loss to the Crimson Tide, while also silencing any potential naysayers in the process. Kalen DeBoer’s high-flying offensive attack led the program to a massive road victory in one of the most hostile environments in college football, which is why they take first place for the first time in 2025.
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While some coaches looked good, others looked a little frazzled in Week 5. Brian Kelly’s squad took a trip to Oxford, Mississippi, and left empty-handed after Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambless threw for 314 yards and one touchdown in another impressive Rebels’ win. Lane Kiffin and company continue to look the part, which is why they surpass Smart and the Bulldogs after Georgia’s disappointing home loss to Alabama.
Other teams in the league enjoyed a week’s rest, but programs like Tennessee and Mississippi State battled in an overtime thriller for the ages. Just when it looked like Jeff Lebby was going to do the unthinkable, once again, Tennessee’s explosive offense came in clutch to secure its first conference win of the season. For MSU, that is nothing to frown upon, however. Even with the loss, the Bulldogs remain a sleeper team in the SEC this season, a status that nobody considered during the offseason.
Texas A&M and Auburn battled in a low-scoring affair at Kyle Field on Saturday, as head coach Mike Elko avenged last year’s loss to the Tigers for his 12th win at the helm in the Maroon and White. On the other hand, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman was just fired for his coaching performance in another ugly Arkansas loss, this time to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, while Kentucky’s head coach Mark Stoops and Florida’s Billy Napier remain in two of the hottest seats in football.
With another slate of conference matchups on deck, here are the SEC power rankings heading into Week 6:
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Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) celebrates after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Week 5 result: W, 24-21 at No. 5 Georgia
Week 6 contest: vs. No. 16 Vanderbilt
2. Ole Miss Rebels (5-0, 3-0 in SEC)
Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Ole Miss defeated LSU 24-19.
Week 5 result: W, 24-19 vs. No. 4 LSU
Week 6 contest: BYE
Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart takes the field before the start of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
Week 5 result: L, 24-21 vs. No. 17 Alabama
Week 6 contest: vs. Kentucky
Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Jovantae Barnes (2) reacts after rushing for a touchdown against the Temple Owls in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Week 5 result: BYE
Week 6 contest: vs. Kent State
Sep 27, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Mike Matthews (4) reacts after winning the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
Week 5 result: W, 41-34 (OT) at Mississippi State
Week 6 contest: BYE
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) reacts after sacking Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Week 5 result: W, 16-10 vs. Auburn
Week 6 contest: vs. Mississippi State
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7. Vanderbilt Commodores (5-0, 1-0 in SEC)
Sep 27, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) runs off the field after the win against the Utah State Aggies after the game at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Week 5 result: W, 55-35 vs. Utah State
Week 6 contest: at No. 10 Alabama
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 27: Running back Jamal Roberts #20 of the Missouri Tigers celebrates his touchdown with tight end Vince Brown II #12 and offensive lineman Jayven Richardson #75 against the Massachusetts Minutemen in the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Week 5 result: W, 42-6 vs. UMass
Week 6 contest: BYE
Mississippi State running back Fluff Bothwell (24) celebrates a touchdown during a college football game between Tennessee and Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., on Sept. 27, 2025.
Week 5 result: L, 41-34 (OT) vs. No. 15 Tennessee
Week 6 contest: at No. 5 Texas A&M
10. LSU Tigers (4-1, 1-1 in SEC)
LSU linebacker Whit Weeks (40) gestures toward the crowd after a turnover during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
Week 5 result: L, 24-19 at No. 13 Ole Miss
Week 6 contest: BYE
AUSTIN, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 20: Christian Clark #6 of the Texas Longhorns is congratulated by teammates after a touchdown run in the second half against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Week 5 result: BYE
Week 6 contest: at Florida
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) throws the ball during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Week 5 result: L, 16-10 at No. 9 Texas A&M
Week 6 contest: BYE
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Sep 27, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) and offensive lineman Nick Sharpe (52) celebrate a defensive touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Week 5 result: W, 35-13 vs. Kentucky
Week 6 contest: BYE
Sep 20, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier high-fives defensive back Sharif Denson (0) against the Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Week 5 result: BYE
Week 6 contest: vs. No. 9 Texas
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – SEPTEMBER 27: Jordan Botelho #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish chases down and tackles Mike Washington Jr. #4 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Week 5 result: L, 56-13 vs. No. 22 Notre Dame
Week 6 contest: BYE
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 27: Willie Rodriguez #81 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts in the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Week 5 result: L, 35-13 at South Carolina
Week 6 contest: at No. 12 Georgia
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: SEC football power rankings after chaotic Week 5 finish