SEC Power Rankings: Alabama Pulls Away (For Now) After Big Win Over the Aggies

Sep 14, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive back

(6) breaks up a pass to Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver

(16) at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

 13. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Record: 1-2 (0-1)

Previous Ranking: 12 (Trend: DOWN)

Last Week: Auburn 24, Mississippi State 20

This Week: vs. Troy

Next Week: vs. LSU

Mississippi State’s shot at a bowl game took a huge hit last weekend with their loss to Auburn. Much of their season was based on being able to take three from Alcorn State, Troy, and Bowling Green in non-conference play, and then winning games against Auburn, Kentucky, and Arkansas in SEC play. This was necessary because the other six teams on the schedule are in the nation’s top 25, and five of them are ranked 13th or better.

Now with the loss to Auburn, MSU must steal one of those five remaining games against ranked team. And when you’re losing at the last second to Auburn, how comfortable should a MSU fan feel about winning a game at South Carolina?

Ole Miss would seem to be Mississippi State’s best shot as the game is at home, but Ole Miss already has two tough road wins at Vanderbilt and Texas on their resume. Things seem very shaky for the Bulldogs postseason chances.