Georgia Bulldogs: SEC East Power Rankings, Week 9

Oct 17, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shawn Elliott cheers up his team during the second quarter between Vanderbilt and South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Though South Carolina was on their bye in Week 8, I have to put them at the bottom of the SEC East this week for a few reasons. I can’t see the Gamecocks winning three of their final five games to become bowl eligible. So best case scenario, this is a 5-7 (2-6) team.

With the Head Ball Coach hanging up the visor, there isn’t much to look forward to on this team, unless you’re a Pharoh Cooper fanatic or are moderately interested to see if interim HC Shawn Elliott is a permanent solution in Columbia. Even with Steve Spurrier changing the national perception of the program, USC is the third most lucrative available Power 5 head coaching gig behind Southern Cal and Miami.

The South Carolina Gamecocks will make their first trip to Kyle Field in College Station to take on new cross-divisional rival Texas A&M on Saturday. Kickoff is at Noon on the SEC Network.

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Oct 24, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive back Cam Hilton (33) fumbles the punt return during the second half turning the ball over on a Vanderbilt Commodores recovery at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt won 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt finally won an SEC game in the Derek Mason Era, so I will reward the ‘Dores by getting them out of the SEC East cellar this week. Though they did lose to South Carolina, they beat Mizzou who beat USC. The only SEC victories between the ‘Dores, the Tigers, and the Gamecocks are among themselves.

The ‘Dores could lose their remaining five games, but I think that Mason will keep his job as starting freshman Kyle Shurmur at quarterback was enough to earn VU an SEC victory. Their ceiling this season is 5-7 (3-5). Vandy is probably slightly better than their record indicates, but they aren’t a 6-6 bowl eligible team in 2015.

Vanderbilt will travel to the Gulf Coast to play the #18 team in the country in the undefeated Houston Cougars. This game is a 7PM ET kickoff on ESPN 2.

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Oct 24, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) is sacked by Vanderbilt Commodores linebacker Landon Stokes (99) during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt won 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Oh, how the Missouri Tigers have fallen. After going 7-1 in the SEC last season, Mizzou finds themselves already 1-4 with Mississippi State, BYU, Tennessee, and Arkansas left on the schedule. There is a chance that the worst offensive team in the SEC could go 0-4 in those final five games. The Tigers have to go at worst 2-2 to earn bowl eligibility.

Of all the surprises in the SEC this season, I’d have to say Mizzou plummeting to the bottom of the conference comes as the biggest surprise. Then again, I wonder if the results would differ had Maty Mauk remained the starting quarterback had he not been suspended? Gary Pinkel will certainly keep his job as Head Coach, but there are major concerns about the Tigers’ offense going forward.

Missouri enters their bye before hosting the Mississippi State Bulldogs on November 5th in Columbia.

Next: Likely Bowl Bound, That's All