Here's a look at where things stand in the SEC eight weeks into the season.

1. Alabama (8-0): An 11th consecutive win against rival Tennessee was never in doubt. But beating the enormous 36.5-point spread to win 45-7 at home was impressive for the No. 1-ranked team in the country.

2. Georgia (7-0): After reeling off seven straight wins to start the season, Georgia enjoyed a bye week before its all-important rivalry game against Florida this weekend.

3. Auburn (6-2): Going on the road to Arkansas isn't the test it's been in the past, but nonetheless, the Tigers took care of business with a 52-20 win. Saturday's trip to Texas A&M should tell us more about this team.

4. Texas A&M (5-2): The Aggies were idle but return to the field in Week 9 against Mississippi State.

5. LSU (6-2): The Tigers have seemingly righted the ship, winning three in a row, the latest a 40-24 win at Ole Miss. They're idle this week ahead of a key tilt with Alabama.

6. South Carolina (5-2): The Gamecocks were off this week but take on Vanderbilt next week.

7. Mississippi State (5-2): Are the Bulldogs back on track? Heading into the bye week, State had lost back-to-back games. Now, coming out of the break, the Bulldogs are winners of two in a row against BYU and Kentucky by a combined score of 80-17.

8. Florida (3-3): A bye week came at the right time for a team coming off back-to-back losses to LSU and Texas A&M.

9. Kentucky (5-2): The Wildcats took it on the chin, getting routed by Mississippi State. It was an unnerving loss for coach Mark Stoops, who said "it's not acceptable, not OK." They'll try to get back on track against Tennessee.

10. Vanderbilt (3-4): The Commodores enjoyed an off week before returning to action next week against South Carolina.

11. Ole Miss (3-4): The Rebs might be about to go into a free fall with the news that quarterback Shea Patterson is out for the season with a knee injury.

12. Arkansas (2-4): After a pounding by Auburn, things don't seem to be getting better in Fayetteville. Arkansas has allowed 40-plus points in four consecutive SEC games this season. The angst surrounding coach Bret Bielema won't be subsiding any time soon.

13. Tennessee (3-4): How bad is it for the Vols right now? Just when they thought they'd scored their first offensive TD in 13 quarters of play, it was overturned on replay. Then there was a false start. Then an interception. Tennessee was dominated by Alabama 45-7, and coach Butch Jones appears to be in trouble.

14. Missouri (2-5): The Tigers stopped their five-game losing streak by routing Idaho. It's not an SEC win, something they're still searching for, but Barry Odom's team needed a win any way it could find one.