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

What a weekend for the South Carolina Gamecocks! Not only did they finally get their first FBS win of the year, which is a big deal, but they also won a conference game, meaning they also got their first Power Five and SEC win on the year. That it came as the North Carolina Tar Heels almost beat the Clemson Tigers only made their loss to UNC look better.

So at 2-3, Will Muschamp’s team has some momentum with a 24-7 blowout over the Kentucky Wildcats. And it was more than enough for us to give them a significant bump in our SEC Power Rankings. After all, two of their three losses are to the Alabama Crimson Tide and at the Missouri Tigers. There’s no shame in either of those.

The defense finally found itself in the win, and the offense found balance behind Ryan Hilinski with Tavien Feaster and Rico Dowdle both going over 100 yards. If Dowdle can get fully healthy, this team has a rally in it. But it won’t come immediately.

After the bye, they visit the Georgia Bulldogs and host the Florida Gators. But the UK win gives them hope even if they fall to 2-5. That’s because they then visit the Tennessee Vols in a winnable game before hosting the Vanderbilt Commodores and Appalachian State Mountaineers. The Clemson Tigers at home look beatable too, as do the next team on this list, who they also face.