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

Sep 14, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers tight end

(81) celebrates the game-winning touchdown against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

12. Auburn Tigers

Record: 3-0 (1-0)

Previous Ranking: 13 (Trend: UP)

Last Week: Auburn 24, Mississippi State 20

This Week: at LSU

Next Week: Bye

Auburn snapped their 10-game SEC losing streak with a last second touchdown pass against Mississippi State, and are now starting to carve out a potential path to a bowl game for themselves.

At 3-0, Auburn has two games on their schedule that would appear to be automatic wins: West Carolina and Florida Atlantic. This should get them to five wins. The question now is where is the Tigers’ second SEC win? The two teams most likely for them to beat – Tennessee and Arkansas – are each road games, and their remaining schedule includes LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Georgia and Alabama.

Can Auburn steal any of those games?

They are going to have to if they want to make a bowl game, but, given the way last season broke for Auburn, the opportunity to make a bowl game has to be considered progress.