SEC Power Rankings: Georgia, LSU Do Battle To Keep SEC, National Championship Hopes Alive

Sep 14, 2013; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier directs his team against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

5. South Carolina Gamecocks

Record: 2-1 (1-1)

Previous Ranking: (Trend: — )

Last Week: Bye

This Week: at UCF

Next Week: vs. Kentucky

South Carolina has a couple of extra bye weeks coming in UCF and Kentucky, before three-straight tough road games against Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri.

Missouri poses the most difficult threat of the three, though South Carolina should be favored in the game. The Tigers to date are healthy and have their offense playing at a high level. USC is going to have to continually improve their defense opposite of Jadeveon Clowney if they want to stay in the hunt for a 11-win season.

Also, there is a chance South Carolina could be back in the SEC East title hunt with a Georgia loss to LSU this weekend. Otherwise, South Carolina is playing for either a BCS glitch or a Cotton Bowl.