Kentucky rises in SEC power rankings after week four win

Week four was one of moving upward for the Kentucky football team. Despite not playing their best early against South Alabama, they got the win, and moved up in the US LBM Coaches Poll, moved up into the top 25 in the AP Poll, and are moving up in this week's power rankings.

Early on, the Wildcats looked lethargic, and fell behind more than once against the Jaguars. The defense wasn't able to generate a pass rush, and got burned on some big plays, but they got a big turnover late and took a lead into halftime. In the second half, they took over with a dominant running game, and pulled ahead for a blowout victory.

Around the rest of the SEC, things were no less exciting. The Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers played a tight game that came down to the very end while Mississippi State and Missouri featured a fourth quarter comeback.

It's still early in the season, but the top teams of the SEC are beginning to announce themselves. Where does Kentucky fall in that pecking order at this point? Here are this week's conference power rankings.

16. Arkansas Razorbacks

• Last week: 16
• Result: Beat Tulsa 34-6

Arkansas got a win this week, and certainly looked better than previous weeks. However, they need to do it against a power conference competition.

15. Oklahoma Sooners

• Last week: 13
• Result: Lost to Georgia 41-13

It got ugly quickly for the Sooners, who haven't found their stride this season. They're just 2-2 on the season, and that includes a win over New Mexico where they played poorly as well.

14. Vanderbilt Commodores

• Last week: 15
• Result: Lost to Auburn 21-15

The Commodores suffered their first loss on Saturday, and the offense struggled to get going. The defense played well, and kept the in the game, though.

13. South Carolina Gamecocks

• Last week: 12
• Result: Lost to Alabama 49-18

South Carolina ran into a red hot Alabama team, and got beaten in every way. The bigger concern is the state of the team after suspending their best defensive player.

12. Texas A&M Aggies

• Last week: 11
• Result: Lost to LSU 35-6

A second straight loss has the Aggies reeling. They have loads of talent, but will only go as far as quarterback Marcel Reed can take them.

11. Missouri Tigers

• Last week: 9
• Result: Lost to Mississippi St 31-24

After a close win over Troy last week, the Tigers fell to Kamario Taylor and Mississippi State this week. Austin Simmons and the offense played well, but the defense just couldn't get enough stops.

10. Auburn Tigers

• Last week: 14
• Result: Beat Vanderbilt 21-15

The Tigers have been up and down this season, but held on for a win on Saturday. The defense was especially strong, and they didn't let Vandy's freshman QB get comfortable.

9. Kentucky Wildcats

• Last week: 10
• Result: Beat South Alabama 45-21

It was another slow start for the Wildcats, which is a concern going forward. Coach Will Stein was unhappy with their performance, and the pass rush has to be more consistent.

8. Ole Miss Rebels

• Last week: 3
• Result: Lost to Florida 52-28

The Rebels had no answers for Florida on Saturday, giving up 52 points. Trinidad Chambliss did what he could, but they had a big letdown after an emotional win over LSU the week before.

7. Tennessee Volunteers

• Last week: 5
• Result: Lost to Texas 20-17

Many people wondered just how good the Vols really were, and they held their own against the country's No. 1 team. They came up just short in an exciting, low-scoring game.

6. Mississippi State Bulldogs

• Last week: 7
• Result: Beat Missouri 31-24

Kamario Taylor continues to be must-see TV, and led a come from behind victory on Saturday. The Bulldogs are going to give every team they play all they an handle.

5. LSU Tigers

• Last week 6
• Result: Beat Texas A&M 35-6

It's hard to know what to make of LSU right now, but they bounced back quickly after losing to Ole Miss. They dominated the Aggies on Saturday.

4. Florida Gators

• Last week: 8
• Result: Beat Ole Miss 52-28

The Gators faced a big test on Saturday and passed with flying colors. Jadan Baugh continues to put up huge numbers, and make his case for the Heisman Trophy.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

• Last week: 4
• Result: Beat South Carolina 49-18

Keelon Russell had his best game yet, and his continued development puts the Crimson Tide into the national championship race. They looked elite on Saturday.

2. Georgia Bulldogs

• Last week: 2
• Result: Beat Oklahoma 41-13

The Bulldogs have dominated every team they've faced so far this season. It will be interesting to see them face better competition when the schedule ramps up.

1. Texas Longhorns

• Last week: 1
• Result: Beat Tennessee 20-17

The Longhorns already have two wins over ranked teams this season. It hasn't always been pretty, but they have earned the top spot here, and in the polls.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky rises in SEC power rankings after week four win