SEC baseball power rankings after Week 4: Florida, Kentucky fall on the eve of conference play

Week 4 in SEC baseball was relatively quiet, as most teams played tune-up series before the start of conference play this weekend. As such, there's not a lot of movement at the top of the power rankings, with the conference season figuring to serve as the separator.

Some teams did suffer upsets in a loaded midweek schedule Tuesday, most notably Alabama to Southern Miss and Mississippi State to South Alabama. Florida also lost to rival Florida State.

Here's how we ranked the SEC's 14 teams:

All rankings, records and stats are as of games March 12

1. LSU

A 2-1 loss by an SEC team to Xavier? Where have I seen that before?

Despite the loss in that series finale, the Tigers retain the top spot. They don't have many weaknesses, but are their strengths strong enough to outshine other teams at the top?

The Tigers travel to Mississippi State to start conference play.

Record: 15-2

Last week: 1

2. Tennessee

The Vols' bats are blasting everyone again, ranking first in the conference at 10.89 runs per game. Tennessee also hasn't played a very difficult schedule, and it remains to be seen how the pitching depth holds up.

The Vols travel to Alabama this weekend.

Record: 17-1

Last week: 2

3. Arkansas

Arkansas' pitching talent and depth is unquestioned. But the offense ranks 12th in the league in home runs and scoring. At least the Hogs finally have more home runs (17) than double plays (16).

Arkansas hosts Missouri this weekend.

Record: 14-2

Last week: 3

4. Texas A&M

One of two undefeated teams remaining, Texas A&M is here only due to a relatively light non-conference schedule and a pair of bullpen adventures on Sunday and Tuesday. Should the Aggies still be undefeated after traveling to Florida this weekend − or even with one loss − they have the chance to take over the top spot.

Record: 17-0

Last week: 4

5. Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt's rotation had a monster weekend against Illinois State, and the offense has been much better than expected.

But the bullpen is a legitimate concern, and it feels like no lead is safe with the Commodores. They host Auburn to start conference play.

Record: 15-3

Last week: 5

6. Alabama

Alabama was expected to be a pitching-focused team this season, but it's the offense that has really shined in the early going.

Record: 15-2

Last week: 8

7. Auburn

Auburn doesn't stand out in any area statistically, but the Tigers don't have a ton of weaknesses either. Joseph Gonzalez's getting back on track will be key for Auburn's season, as the Tigers have already lost two Saturday games in which he was either unavailable or ineffective.

Record: 13-3

Last week: 7

LAST WEEK'S RANKINGSSEC baseball power rankings after Week 3: Tennessee, Texas A&M on the rise

8. Florida

Last season's national runners-up have had a rough go of it to start off the season. The Gators have struggled to get production from the bottom of their lineup and rank second-to-last in the SEC in runs allowed, despite a schedule that's had only one ranked team so far.

Record: 10-6

Last week: 8

9. South Carolina

The Gamecocks' pitching staff has been excellent, ranking second in the SEC in runs allowed, but the offense hasn't lived up to expectations. South Carolina has played a fairly light schedule outside of Clemson, and it lost both games to the Tigers.

The Gamecocks travel to Ole Miss to open SEC play.

Record: 14-3

Last week: 10

10. Georgia

Georgia has had the statistically most productive offense in the SEC, but it's come against a schedule that has consisted of only one game against a team that made regionals last year. The offense will have to keep that up against SEC teams to prop up an underwhelming pitching staff.

The Bulldogs travel to Kentucky to start SEC play.

Record: 17-1

Last week: 11

11. Kentucky

Kentucky was the only team to lose a series this week; that loss to Kennesaw State is a tough one. The Wildcats will have to be led by their pitching staff, as the offense ranks last in the SEC in scoring and home runs.

Record: 14-3

Last week: 9

12. Mississippi State

The Bulldogs' new-look rotation is built to win SEC games − though Nate Dohm's injury status is a real concern − but midweek losses could cause RPI issues as this team attempts to get into a regional.

Record: 12-5

Last week: 12

13. Ole Miss

The only team in the SEC that ranks in the bottom five of the league in both scoring and runs allowed, Ole Miss has some nice individual pieces but a roster that hasn't shown cohesion.

Record: 13-5

Last week: 13

14. Missouri

Splitting a series with Purdue-Fort Wayne was a tough look, but Missouri at least rebounded with a nice midweek win over Kansas.

Record: 9-8

Last week: 14

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson.