SEC Power Rankings following Week Five of 2019: Bye didn’t help Vols

Okay, we’re starting to feel a bit unfair to the Alabama Crimson Tide. They are 5-0 and have three wins over Power Five teams. Clearly the national media respects them, as they have moved back up to No. 1 this season given how the Clemson Tigers have looked, and that No. 1 ranking is more than fair at this point. We have no objections.

One of those teams they beat, the Duke Blue Devils, was a 42-3 thrashing, and that same Duke team is 3-1 after having just blown out the Virginia Tech Hokies. So if we’re serious about not basing things on expectations or last year’s results, that should be a major quality win for Nick Saban’s team. What more could the Tide do?

They are blowing out everybody, and their offense is as unstoppable. Well, for now, we’re keeping them at No. 4 in our SEC Power Rankings. This is splitting hairs with the top four. But giving up 31 points to the Ole Miss Rebels is a bit concerning. Still, they won 59-31 this past weekend.

Alabama now gets their bye week, though, to get even better. Then they visit the Texas A&M Aggies in what should be their best test yet before their two easiest conference games back to back, at home against the Tennessee Vols and Arkansas Razorbacks. After that is another bye before their key game, at home against the next team on this list.