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

A bye week was probably something the LSU Tigers needed. Sure, they are 4-0 with a major quality win over the Texas Longhorns, and the offense is rolling with Joe Burrow starting to look like a Heisman Trophy candidate. But the defense, having given up 38 points to the Vanderbilt Commodores in the last game, clearly had some work to do.

For right now, the bye did nothing to change the standing for Ed Orgeron’s team in our SEC Power Rankings. They remain at No. 3, which was a drop from No. 1 two weeks ago, with plenty of chances coming up to prove where they belong. As we said with the Alabama Crimson Tide, we are splitting hairs in this top tier.

When it comes to LSU, the issue is the same as Alabama’s as we are questioning the defense. And we are questioning it even more. But that Texas win is enough for us to keep them ahead of Bama now, even if the Duke Blue Devils should look like as much of a quality win at the moment.

Now, though, they have the equivalent of a second bye with the Utah State Aggies coming to town. Then they get a solid stretch with the Florida Gators and Auburn Tigers at home and a road trip to the Mississippi State Bulldogs sandwiched in between. That run needs to be their focus right now before they can get up for the Alabama Crimson Tide in November.