Tennessee Volunteers

All for Tennessee Official SEC Power Rankings After Week 6 of the College Football Season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones talk with Volunteer former quarterback Peyton Manning before the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Volunteers had a slight drop-off in the official All for Tennessee SEC Power Rankings following Week Six of the college football season.

As we are now down to two undefeated teams in the conference, our SEC Power Rankings are starting to take shape.

By that, we mean they are a legitimate assessment of the tiers for each team in the conference.

It’s hard to believe that the college football season is already halfway over, but it is. And we are now more in the heart of the season ever, right in the midst of October games.

This is what it’s all about!

Last week’s SEC schedule was hit with some drama because of Hurricane Matthew, which rescheduled one game and postponed another.

On top of that, two undefeated teams played, with one losing. And the other undefeated team blew out a ranked team on the road.

As we get set to bring you our next set of SEC Power Rankings, it’s safe to say that there are three teams in complete control of their own destiny to reach the College Football Playoff in the conference and win the SEC. Another team is not out of it.

And two more teams may have a very real shot if things break their way. Meanwhile, there are three other very good teams in the conference.

Five teams are in the bottom tier all hoping to somehow get to a bowl game.

So yes, we were able to separate all these by tiers. That’s getting easier by the week. Here are the official All for Tennessee SEC Power Rankings following Week Six of the college football season.

Oct 8, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) passes the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first quarter at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt Commodores

2-4 (0-3)

Last week: Lost to the Kentucky Wildcats 20-13Last rank: 13th

Honestly, it’s hard to say the Vanderbilt Commodores deserved to drop in our SEC Power Rankings after losing a conference game on the road by only a touchdown. However, they are clearly the worst team in the SEC right now.

And Derek Mason has truly built a team in his identity: all offense, no defense.

Vanderbilt had a great chance to beat the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, but Kyle Shurmur remains an awful quarterback of an awful offense…and the defense simply isn’t good enough to do everything it’s been asked to do.

Heck, Alabama’s defense couldn’t protect this offense.

The Commodores are now 2-4, and on the rest of their schedule, they likely only have one more possible win. This week, they face the Georgia Bulldogs on the road. The next week, they face Tennessee State, which will be their final win.

Then they have a bye and likely won’t win again, with Auburn, Missouri on the road, Ole Miss, and Tennessee up to close out the season. Simply put, this team and Mason are done.

However, the next team in the bottom tier of these SEC Power Rankings is also one that focuses on all offense and no defense. We go to them now.

Oct 9, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks take the field during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Georgia wins 28-14 over South Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Gamecocks

2-4 (1-4)

Last week: Lost to the Georgia Bulldogs 28-14Last rank: 13th

How fitting is it that the South Carolina Gamecocks and Vanderbilt Commodores opened the season against each other? That 13-10 victory by South Carolina turned out to be exactly what we expected: a defensive struggle due to two terrible offenses.

And ever since then, both teams have been absolutely pathetic. Will Muschamp’s squad is back to looking like a Muschamp team. On Saturday against the Georgia Bulldogs, the defense did an amazing job on Jacob Eason, Nick Chubb wasn’t playing, and Perry Orth managed 288 passing yards.

But a terrible offensive line cost them in the rushing game, and three turnovers made it worse. So in a Sunday game with a chance to pull off a huge home win, the Gamecocks fell apart once again.

At 2-4 and 1-4 in the SEC, this is clearly a bottom-tier team in the conference. And they are pretty much done for the year.

Even though they have a bye week and then have a chance for a sure win against UMASS, the Gamecocks’ schedule down the stretch includes the Tennessee Vols, the Florida Gators, and the Clemson Tigers. Those are all sure losses.

So UMASS, Western Carolina, and Missouri at home as potential wins still won’t be enough to get them to a bowl game. This team is going nowhere.

Oct 8, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen yells during the second half of the game against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium. Auburn won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State Bulldogs

2-3 (1-2)

Last week: Lost to the Auburn Tigers 38-14Last rank: 10th

The wheels have come off a rebuilding team in Starkville. Dan Mullen’s Mississippi State Bulldogs have some potential with Nick Fitzgerald and other talented players, but the loss of Dak Prescott was clearly an issue.

As a result, they’ve proven themselves to clearly be in the bottom tier of our SEC Power Rankings, and the only reason they aren’t lower is head-to-head. After all, they did beat the South Carolina Gamecocks, who did beat the Vanderbilt Commodores.

This team has weapons, but it is too young and too thin to accomplish anything this year. The result is Mullen’s job being on the hot seat.

Now, Mississippi State is 2-3, and their loss at the beginning of the year to the South Alabama Jaguars is going to end up being devastating. They play in the brutal SEC West, and the schedule is not any easier down the stretch.

Fortunately, they have a chance to get to five wins over the next three weeks, but it’s going to be tough with road games against the BYU Cougars and Kentucky Wildcats, even with the Samford Bulldogs following.

But after that, they’ve got Texas A&M, Alabama, Arkansas, and Ole Miss. So they aren’t going anywhere. This is going to be a season they play for pride.

Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) before a game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Missouri Tigers

2-3 (0-2)

Last week: Did Not PlayLast rank: 14th

Barry Odom’s team got a much needed bye after a terrible blowout loss to the LSU Tigers two Saturdays ago. Oddly enough, though, that bye was enough for us to move them from last place up to No. 11 in our SEC Power Rankings.

When you’re in the bottom tier of our rankings, not playing can be enough to do that for you. After all, the Tigers’ loss was to an LSU team still loaded with talent. And they still have a chance at a decent season.

Missouri has a solid defense and still has a chance for some great games with Drew Lock at quarterback. They have yet to suffer a bad loss when you consider that the West Virginia Mountaineers are undefeated.

Now, with a bye week to get fully rested, they have a chance to get to a bowl game with a tough schedule.

They have a road game against the Florida Gators, who are still a questionable team. But after that, Middle Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt are all winnable games. And three of those games are at home.

So this team could easily get to 6-6, even as they close the year against the Tennessee Vols and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Oct 8, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats safety Blake McClain (24) and cornerback Chris Westry (21) celebrate during the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Vanderbilt 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky Wildcats

3-3 (2-2)

Last week: Defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 20-13Last rank: 11th

We are down to the final team in the bottom tier of our SEC Power Rankings. But the Kentucky Wildcats are now playing the best of all those teams and may be good enough to move into another tier.

Mark Stoops’s team looked dead in the water at the beginning of the year after a terrible loss to the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and then the Florida Gators.

Now, however, they’ve gone 3-1 since then with key conference wins against the South Carolina Gamecocks and Vanderbilt Commodores. This unit has found new life with Stephen Johnson at quarterback, and at the very least, they’ve taken advantage of teams they should beat.

Sure, they still haven’t proven to be a good team yet. And sure, Johnson had a terrible game last week against Vanderbilt. But they’re still 3-3, and their schedule gives them a great chance to continue winning.

After all, the Mississippi State Bulldogs at home are next week, and they get to face Austin Peay down the stretch. If they beat Mississippi State, then there’s a good chance their game against Missouri determines which team reaches a bowl game. That’s something to be excited about given how things started.

And it makes them the best of our bottom-tier teams in the SEC Power Rankings.

Oct 1, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators players celebrate after a win against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Florida won 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Florida Gators

4-1 (2-1)

Last week: Did Not PlayLast rank: 9th

Well by running away from an important SEC game, at least they didn’t do anything to drop in these SEC Power Rankings.

The Florida Gators are in the strongest position of any SEC team out of the top three to get back in control of their own destiny to reach the College Football Playoff since they only have one loss. All they need is another loss by the Tennessee Vols.

However, the questions surrounding whether or not they’re good enough to get back in the conversation remain a question. This team struggled to put away the Vanderbilt Commodores two weeks ago and has serious offensive woes with Austin Appleby at quarterback and serious defensive woes against good offenses.

Jim McElwain’s team is fortunate, however, since it managed to duck the LSU Tigers while it is reeling. The difficulty of making up the game could end up benefitting them, and they could finish the year 10-1 and win the East at 6-1 as a result.

It’s a great scam job.

Still, by ducking the Tigers, we can’t say that they did anything to move up in our SEC Power Rankings.

Teams like the Missouri Tigers, Presbyterian Blue Hens, and the South Carolina Gamecocks will help them get there. However, they have to face the Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs, and Arkansas Razorbacks. Also, not making up that game against LSU will hurt them. So they have lots of work to do.

Oct 8, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Keon Hatcher (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (72) after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas Razorbacks

4-2 (0-2)

Last week: Lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide 49-30Last rank: 6th

After a bad loss to the Texas A&M Aggies, we said that the Arkansas Razorbacks still deserved a high ranking in our SEC Power Rankings at the time. However, Bret Bielema’s team has done enough to fall from there over the last two weeks.

On Saturday, we were fairly certain that the Razorbacks would cover the spread against the Crimson Tide. They didn’t.

Alabama should’ve been used to making mistakes after playing terrible teams. Arkansas should’ve been ready given that they were playing at home. But the Tide blew out the Razorbacks and watched Bielema abandon everything he stands for.

Austin Allen threw 48 times for 400 yards and three touchdowns along with three interceptions. Meanwhile, they only ran it 36 times for 73 yards. And the defense gave up nearly 50 points.

This team’s identity should’ve given it the chance to compete with Nick Saban’s team over the weekend, but it didn’t. That’s a bit of a concern for the Hogs going forward.

They’re still better than they were two weeks ago, but they’re not at the level they might have been.

With the Ole Miss Rebels, Auburn Tigers, Florida Gators, and LSU Tigers up next on their slate, we’re about to find out a lot more about them.

Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers interim head coach Ed Orgeron celebrates with his team following a win in his first game against the Missouri Tigers at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Missouri 42-7. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

LSU Tigers

3-2 (2-1)

Last week: Did Not PlayLast rank: 7th

The LSU Tigers join the Florida Gators in the drama-filled weekend where their game was postponed due to Hurricane Matthew. However, this team has been filled with drama all year. The firing of Les Miles after the disappointing start showed that.

Still, they did everything they could to play Florida over the weekend, and Florida’s only option was to screw LSU in how they made up the game. The Tigers were right not to go for it.

In the process, though, this team got a much-needed bye week to get more acclimated to Ed Orgeron and how he runs things, and it could bode well for them in the long run.

After a blowout win over the Missouri Tigers two Saturdays ago, they clearly did nothing to drop in our SEC Power Rankings.

They have more time to get Leonard Fournette healthy, to develop Danny Etling, and to continue developing its elite defense.

Fortunately for them, with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles coming up next, they get essentially another bye week.

But then, things get brutal, as they have to face the Ole Miss Rebels, the Alabama Crimson Tide, and the Texas A&M Aggies. South Alabama is on there, but that could be moved due to the Florida game. So all this is up in the air.

Oct 9, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; Georgia Bulldogs players pray in the end zone before the start of the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Bulldogs

4-2 (2-2)

Last week: Defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 28-14Last rank: 8th

After a devastating loss to the Tennessee Vols and a major distraction due to Hurricane Matthew, the Georgia Bulldogs did a great job responding on a road game Sunday against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Kirby Smart’s team has a ton of talent, and they showed the balance they have this past weekend after overcoming terrible play from Jacob Eason and Nick Chubb’s injury.

And although the South Carolina Gamecocks are not a good team, they do have a solid defense. So beating them 28-14 on the road, which was a higher margin than the Texas A&M Aggies’ victory, definitely warrants praise.

The Bulldogs are so close to being in complete control of the SEC East right now, but they have a great chance going forward to have a validating first season under smart.

Up next for them are the Vanderbilt Commodores. They also have winnable games against Kentucky, Louisiana Lafayette, and Georgia Tech. So 8-4 should be the minimum record for this team.

And then they have a chance for a great first season if they can somehow beat the Florida Gators and Auburn Tigers. But just one of those wins makes for a solid start.

Oct 1, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels players celebrate after the game against the Memphis Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 48-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss Rebels

3-2 (1-1)

Last week: Did Not PlayLast rank: 4th

The Ole Miss Rebels got a much-needed week off after a rough start to the season in terms of their schedule. But even at 3-2 and 1-1 in the SEC, their impressive win over the Memphis Tigers and blowout win over the Georgia Bulldogs have been enough to keep them in the upper-echelon of the SEC.

Meanwhile, they have been the only team to play the Alabama Crimson Tide close all year, so Nick Saban’s team blowout over the Arkansas Razorbacks validates their standing in our SEC Power Rankings.

Chad Kelly may be facing some drama due to a high school football game, but he still is likely the best quarterback in the SEC right now. Hugh Freeze has used his elite talent at wide receiver to turn the season around.

And the defense is good enough.

The only problem for the Rebels is that they have no depth. As a result, their bye week came at a perfect time. The Arkansas Razorbacks, LSU Tigers, and Auburn Tigers are their nest three games. Of course, Georgia Southern, Vanderbilt, and Mississippi State at the end should be wins.

Texas A&M is sandwiched in there too. But the next three games will define the type of season they have. The only reason they dropped in our SEC Power Rankings is due to the play of the next team.

Auburn Tigers

4-2 (2-1)

Last week: Defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 38-14Last rank: 5th

After a 1-2 start with a heartbreaking loss to the Clemson Tigers and another loss to the Texas A&M Aggies, Gus Malzahn’s team has turned things around. By the way, as we’ve seen, there is no shame in losing to either of those teams.

Auburn has found itself with an elite defense and a decent offense due to efficient quarterback play. The change of pace Malzhan has employed seems to have worked.

His Tigers are now in the Top 25 with a 4-2 record after a dominating 38-14 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Sean White has clearly found himself by playing very efficient and completing high percentage passes.

And combining that with a dominant rushing attack is the exact formula they need to win games. Now, this team is not just in contention to get back to relevance. It’s also got a chance to get back in the SEC Championship race.

After all, their only conference loss is to the Texas A&M Aggies, and that team still has a brutal SEC West road. The Tigers are good enough to beat a lot of teams given their talent.

We’ll find out if they can truly do it very soon. After all, they have a bye this week. But then they have the Arkansas Razorbacks, Ole Miss Rebels, Georgia Bulldogs, and Alabama Crimson Tide down the stretch. Fortunately, the bye should help prepare them.

And they have easy wins in the Vanderbilt Commodores and Alabama A&M.

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) rolls out to pass against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeated the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers

5-1 (2-1)

Last week: Lost to the Texas A&M Aggies 45-38 in OTLast rank: 2nd

We have now moved into the top tier of our SEC Power Rankings. The Tennessee Vols may have a loss, but they still belong in that tier.

After all, Butch Jones’s squad has played the toughest schedule in the country, something that is mathematically verifiable. At the same time, their only loss is a double-overtime loss on the road to an undefeated team.

And since that loss came last weekend to the Texas A&M Aggies, an SEC West team, the 5-1 Vols still have complete control of their own destiny to win the SEC Championship and get to the College Football Playoff.

The Vols have had the issue of starting slow, but they make great adjustments. And they have a ton of depth, having played so tough despite injuries to Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Jalen Hurd, Cameron Sutton, and Darrin Kirkland Jr. Joshua Dobbs is such a deadly weapon at quarterback that they’re able to overcome all of those.

And he has got some serious weapons at receiver. Tennessee just has to cut down on some mistakes.

The good news for the Vols is that their season now comes down to one game. They host the No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium this week. After that, they have a bye week to get healthy, then they have the easy part of their schedule, with four of their final five games against the bottom tier in the SEC and the other game against Tennessee Tech.

So everything comes down to this weekend. It will decide the season for the Vols.

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight (8) celebrates with his teammates after the win over the Tennessee Volunteers at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeated the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M Aggies

6-0 (4-0)

Last week: Defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 45-38 in OTLast rank: 3rd

Finally, after knocking on the door the past two years, Kevin Sumlin’s Texas A&M Aggies broke through and moved to 6-0 this past week. It wasn’t easy.

Against a resilient Tennessee Vols team, they needed to force seven turnovers for a double-overtime win after blowing a 28-7 lead. But they were the first team mentally tough enough to handle the Vols’ comeback.

Trevor Knight as a senior is clearly a leader for the Aggies at quarterback. Trayveon Williams gives them a huge element in the running game. And this team is incredibly deep at wide receiver.

Meanwhile, the defense has turned things around now in John Chavis’s second season as defensive coordinator. Even in giving up over 600 yards of offense last week, he was able to get his guys to force seven turnovers. Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall as playmakers are huge assets as well.

So this team is in great shape going into its bye week. Now, they can get healthy and begin their stretch run.

Their season comes down to the first game after that bye, a road match-up against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Coming off the bye gives them a great chance for that win. Then, they have New Mexico State, Mississippi State, and UT San Antonio down the stretch. LSU and Ole Miss would be tough, but they’re good enough to win all five games.

The College Football Playoff is now a real possibility for this team after such a great win.

Oct 8, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) hands off to running back Damien Harris (34) during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Alabama defeated Arkansas 49-30. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama Crimson Tide

6-0 (3-0)

Last week: Defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 49-30Last rank: 1st

As we have said, the Alabama Crimson Tide have to be knocked off this ranking before we actually do it. But after a 49-30 dominating win over the Arkansas Razorbacks that wasn’t even as close as it looks, Nick Saban’s team still stands tall over everybody else in our SEC Power Rankings.

The Tide have earned their No. 1 ranking this year, and they came into this game after a series of cupcake teams. You could think that would make them used to getting away with bad habits.

However, they are so talented and so loaded with a freshman quarterback, elite playmakers, a dominant defense, and brilliant coaches, that it did not matter. They were still able to head to Little Rock and dominate the Razorbacks.

And in the process, they have proven that they are far and away the most talented team in college football at this point. But now, their real tests begin.

The toughest two weeks of the season for this team come up next. This week, they have to travel to Knoxville to take on a very dangerous Tennessee football team. Then they get to host the Texas A&M Aggies the next week. These are clearly the two best teams in the SEC outside of the Tide.

Now, it’s time for them to prove they are still the cream of the crop in the SEC. Of course, after that, the schedule is still difficult with a road game against the LSU Tigers and the Iron Bowl against the Auburn Tigers at the end of the season. But the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Chattanooga Mocs should be an easy win.

So their season really comes down to the next two weeks to see if they can repeat in the SEC and nationally.

More from All for Tennessee

This article originally appeared on

share

Get more from Tennessee Volunteers Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Tennessee Volunteers