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All for Tennessee Official Week Three SEC Power Rankings
Sep 17, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; The Tennessee Volunteers celebrate after the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 28-19. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Volunteers fell, and the Georgia Bulldogs rose in the All for Tennessee SEC Power Rankings for Week Three of the college football season.
Well the heart of college football season is set to begin. Up to this point, the SEC Power Rankings have been mostly about speculation.
After this week, speculation will turn into a real tangible product we can gauge.
This past weekend was the final weekend that the majority of SEC games were games against non-conference teams. Beginning this week, we are about to begin the most exciting marathon in sports: SEC football.
As we get set to bring you our Week Three SEC Power Rankings, it’s important to note that there was not too much movement this year.
Unfortunately, the Vols did have to take a drop after another perplexing and ugly win. Meanwhile, the Georgia Bulldogs jumped up with a nice come-from-behind victory.
However, many of the other teams stayed in relatively their same spots, maybe moving up just a bit.
All of this is obviously set to change this week. Of the nine SEC games scheduled for this weekend, five of them are games within the conference.
Meanwhile, three of them are Top 25 games, two of which are crucial division match-ups.
The excitement that comes with college football season has officially begun. Tennessee-Florida, Arkansas-Texas A&M, and Georgia-Ole Miss will all play a huge role in shaping the SEC season.
LSU-Auburn is no game to sleep on either, even if the Tigers are 1-2 at this point.
So with all of us expecting a major shake-up following this weekend, here are the official All for Tennessee SEC Power Rankings for Week Three of the college football season.
Sep 17, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Charles Walker (88) runs the ball against the New Mexico State Aggies in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated New Mexico State 62-42. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Kentucky Wildcats
1-2 (0-1)
Last week: Defeated New Mexico State Aggies 62-42Last rank: 14th
Congratulations to the Kentucky Wildcats and Mark Stoops for getting their first win of the season. However, their win did nothing for their standing in our SEC Power Rankings.
Kentucky remains the worst team in the SEC. After all, they got blown out by the Florida Gators and still have a loss to a Group of Five team in Southern Miss.
In no universe would a win over the New Mexico State Aggies lift them up, especially they allowed 42 points in the process, were tied at halftime, and only had a one-possession lead going into the fourth.
The best news for the Wildcats is that Stephen Johnson actually looks better than Drew Barker, so Stoops should stick with him at quarterback. However, the defense remains a disaster, and it’s hard to figure out what to do there.
Now the Wildcats are set to begin the gauntlet of their SEC schedule with the South Carolina Gamecocks and Alabama Crimson Tide over the next two weeks. As much as the wheels have already come off the program, they could fall further off in a heartbeat.
After those two games, they have a game that will likely determine the last place team in the SEC this year. That opponent is next in our SEC Power Rankings.
Sep 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Delando Crooks (64) and offensive lineman Will Holden (74) react on the sideline during the fourth quarter of their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Yellow Jackets won 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Vanderbilt Commodores
1-2 (0-1)
Last week: Lost to Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 38-7Last rank: 13th
Oh, how everything has returned to form for college football in the SEC. The Vanderbilt Commodores and Kentucky Wildcats are the worst two teams in the conference and remain in a fight to be the worst team.
The Commodores entered this year with tons of high expectations. They were just a couple of plays away from a 6-6 season last year, and in Derek Mason’s third season, people expected them to take that next step.
But they appear to have gotten worse.
After choking away what should have been a win against the South Carolina Gamecocks, they let the wheels come off against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Paul Johnson is having another revival year in Atlanta, and Vanderbilt was the victim.
Mason still has no offense with Kyle Shurmur at quarterback, and on Saturday he didn’t have any defense either. Vanderbilt gave up over 500 yards of offense against that triple option.
That means this team is in serious trouble. At 1-2, a trip to Western Kentucky next week is going to be tough. But even if they win that, Florida and Georgia are two of their next three games. And Auburn, Missouri, Ole Miss, and Tennessee are still on the schedule.
So they don’t look like they’ll move up in the SEC Power Rankings any time soon.
Sep 17, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks take the field against the East Carolina Pirates during the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
South Carolina Gamecocks
2-1 (1-1)
Last week: Defeated East Carolina Pirates 20-15Last rank: 12th
Perhaps this is unfair. After all, Will Muschamp’s South Carolina Gamecocks had a thrilling win over the Vanderbilt Commodores to start the year. And the East Carolina Pirates are no easy pushover team.
Why, then, are they at No. 12?
Well, South Carolina barely won both of their games, and in between them they lost to a team pretty badly that lost to South Alabama.
So right now, although they are in a new tier above the bottom two teams in the conference, the Gamecocks are still the worst of that tier.
Like every Muschamp team, this unit is having an extremely difficult time generating any offense, even if the defense is solid. However, Brandon McIlwain doesn’t make as many mistakes as Perry Orth, which allows for the Gamecock defense to take over.
They have another test, and one final chance, to beef up their record this week with a road trip to Kentucky. After that, things are about to get pretty rough.
Four of their next six games will be against Top 25 teams, including Texas A&M, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. Missouri is no pushover either. Lucky for them, four of those five games are at home.
So they might have just enough in them to go bowling this year.
Sep 17, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Damian Williams (11) celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi State 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mississippi State Bulldogs
1-2 (1-1)
Last week: Lost to LSU Tigers 23-20Last rank: 11th
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are the fourth straight team we’ve named that haven’t changed one spot from last week in the SEC Power Rankings.
To many people, that’s unfair. Yes, they lost to the South Alabama Jaguars, but then they looked good against the South Carolina Gamecocks and almost beat the LSU Tigers. Well, South Carolina is our third-worst team in the SEC right now, so they get little credit for that.
And if we’re being honest, they didn’t really play well against the LSU Tigers. This team built a dominating lead early, and thanks to a series of LSU miscues along with a Mississippi State onside kick recovery, the Bulldogs stumbled back into the game. They don’t get much credit for that.
Dan Mullen does have a decent quarterback rotation in Nick Fitzgerald and Damian Williams, and struggling against a dominant LSU defense is nothing to be ashamed of. However, the Bulldogs have clearly taken a major step back without Dak Prescott.
A road trip to UMASS this week should give them a good chance to get back on track, but playing in the SEC West, that loss to South Alabama could haunt them in a rebuilding year down the stretch.
After all, they still have to play Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss. And they have to beat one of those teams to go bowling.
Sep 17, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) prepares to throw the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Missouri Tigers
1-2 (0-1)
Last week: Lost to Georgia Bulldogs 28-27Last rank: 10th
They may have lost early to the West Virginia Mountaineers, and they may be 1-2, but the Missouri Tigers aren’t looking too bad under first-year head coach Barry Odom. As such, even in a loss, they get to maintain their spot in our SEC Power Rankings.
The Tigers had the Georgia Bulldogs beat, but a late fourth-down pass and five turnovers shot them. Still, they showed what they can be. Georgia is a good team, which we’ll get to later.
Also, the West Virginia Mountaineers are 2-0 and have a great chance to prove themselves against the BYU Cougars this week. They could be much better than expected.
Missouri clearly has a solid backfield in Drew Lock and Ish Witter, and if the offense could avoid those turnovers, it could become a very solid team. After all, the defense is still great, despite allowing over 400 yards to the Dawgs on Saturday.
And the Tigers still look like they can keep Pinkel’s system of winning ugly football games.
Fortunately, they play in the SEC East, which will give them the chance to have a good year in a rebuilding season. Sure, they still have to play Tennessee, Florida, LSU, and Arkansas.
But they also get Delaware State, MTSU, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt. Provided they do what’s expected, 2016 could come down to Missouri-South Carolina with the winner getting to a bowl game.
Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn walks off the field with his team after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Jordan Hare Stadium. Texas A&M defeated Aubrn 29-16. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Auburn Tigers
1-2 (0-1)
Last week: Lost to Texas A&M Aggies 29-16Last rank: 6th
Yes, we had to drop Gus Malzahn’s team this week. They are the first team to move spots in our SEC Power Rankings for Week Three.
A close loss to the Clemson Tigers on the road followed by a win was enough to keep them high for a while. But they got embarrassed at home by the Texas A&M Aggies, and with a 1-2 record, Gus Malzahn’s seat is extremely hot, unfairly, once again.
The Tigers just can’t generate the offense they should be able to in Malzahn’s system. Sean White was mediocre to say the least, and John Chavis was ahead of Malzahn’s coaching all game long.
The Auburn defense is much better than it usually is, but it’s offense has got to get back to its elite self if it’s to make any run this year.
And in the brutal SEC West, that is always going to be tough.
Next up for Auburn is the LSU Tigers, a game between two coaches fighting for their careers at their respective schools.
Then they get Louisiana Monroe, which should be a win. Down the stretch, Vanderbilt and Alabama A&M should be wins to. But Mississippi State on the road along with Arkansas, Ole Miss, Georgia, and Alabama make it tough to even reach a bowl, let alone be even close to where they want to be. So this team could be in trouble.
Sep 17, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view during the first half of the game between the Ohio Bobcats and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Volunteers
3-0 (0-0)
Last week: Defeated Ohio Bobcats 28-19Last rank: 5th
Talk about a team that is hard to figure out. The Tennessee Vols looked awful in their 20-13 overtime victory against the Sun Belt’s Appalachian State Mountaineers. Then they looked impressive in a 45-24 blowout over the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Battle at Bristol.
But they returned right back to looking awful, with countless mistakes, against the MAC’s Ohio Bobcats. Since our SEC Power Rankings take the body of work into account with the most emphasis on what you did recently, we had to make the Vols the worst undefeated team in the conference so far.
They have not looked really impressive in wins, even against Virginia Tech, who just spotted them the game with five turnovers.
Joshua Dobbs and the offense has struggled, mainly due to poor offensive line play, but the defense hasn’t been as good as advertised under Bob Shoop yet either. However, the defense has still been very good.
Going forward, Tennessee’s standing in our SEC Power Rankings will be dictated by what they do over the next four weeks. They have their entire season on the line with the Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, Texas A&M Aggies, and Alabama Crimson Tide all up before Oct. 22.
So very soon, they will have a cemented spot in these rankings. But right now, they’re in the bottom half.
Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) leads the offense onto the field during the second quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 48-43. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Ole Miss Rebels
1-2 (0-1)
Last week: Lost to Alabama Crimson Tide 48-43Last rank: 7th
Scream and cry all day about us putting the Ole Miss Rebels ahead of the Tennessee Vols in our SEC Power Rankings despite their 1-2 record. Tennessee has to play somebody close to the caliber of Ole Miss’s opponents before we even engage that debate.
Hugh Freeze’s team played the Florida State Seminoles and Alabama Crimson Tide and barely lost to both after enjoying three-score leads against them. Okay, we know what happened to Florida State this past weekend.
But they’re still a great team.
The Rebels are not very deep, but they have a great first-team and can provide mismatches against lots of people due to Chad Kelly’s abilities at quarterback. Now once they get injured down the stretch, they’ll start to struggle. They could also quit if the NCAA brings the hammer down on them.
But at this point, even at 1-2, they’re one of the better teams in the SEC.
However, their schedule is not getting any easier. Their next four games include the Georgia Bulldogs, Arkansas Razorbacks, LSU Tigers, and Memphis Tigers, who beat them last year. Auburn and Texas A&M are two of the three games after that. So despite the talent, this team could fall quickly. They could lose bowl eligibility by November. We’ll have to wait and see.
Sep 17, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles sings with running back Leonard Fournette (7) and his team following a win against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi State 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
LSU Tigers
2-1 (1-0)
Last week: Defeated Mississippi State Bulldogs 23-20Last rank: 9th
They are winning ugly, as Les Miles teams always tend to do, but the LSU Tigers are slowly and quietly moving back up our SEC Power Rankings.
A season-opening loss by two points to the Wisconsin Badgers in what was basically a road game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay will not derail their national title hopes. They just have to keep winning. And despite the score, they had a dominating victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs Saturday.
Only self-inflicted mistakes by the Tigers allowed them back in the game.
Still, the Tigers appear to have finally found their quarterback in Danny Etling. He already looks way better than Brandon Harris. And Leonard Fournette is finding himself after 28 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns last weekend.
Now, with the defense getting its groove back, LSU could quietly walk through its SEC schedule. The Tigers have another decent test with the Auburn Tigers on the road this week. Then they host the Missouri Tigers before traveling to Gainesville to face the Florida Gators. Then they have Ole Miss at home.
So over the next three weeks, we’ll know the exact position they’re in as they begin that brutal November schedule, which is similar to Tennessee’s October schedule. Expect them to move up in our SEC Power Rankings before that.
Sep 17, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Marcell Harris (26) is congratulated after he intercepted the ball against the North Texas Mean Green during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Florida Gators
3-0 (1-0)
Last week: Defeated North Texas Mean Green 32-0Last rank: 4th
Jim McElwain’s team is slowly making its case for a second-year surge under him. The Florida Gators looked ugly against the UMASS Minutemen in their opener, but they have dominated the Kentucky Wildcats and North Texas Mean Green over the past two weeks.
Now, as they get set to begin the heart of their schedule, they are sitting as pretty as ever. The only reason they aren’t higher in our SEC Power Rankings is due to the lack of competition.
There appears to be a wrench in the process with Luke Del Rio now hurt. However, McElwain showed last year that he could win with any quarterback. So Austin Appleby should be just fine going into Knoxville Saturday.
Meanwhile, the defense has turned into a suffocating one, allowing only two touchdowns all year while creating tons of turnovers.
All of that being said, their real tests are about to begin. They are about to face the Tennessee Vols on the road in hopes of extending that winning streak to 12 games. Then, after traveling to face the Vanderbilt Commodores, the Gators host the LSU Tigers. After hosting the Missouri Tigers, they then have to face the Arkansas Razorbacks.
So this team’s season will be made over the next five weeks. Can they return to the Urban Meyer glory days? We are about to find out.
Sep 17, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Georgia Bulldogs place kicker William Ham (92) is congratulated by offensive lineman Tyler Catalina (72) after kicking an extra point to give Georgia the lead against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Faurot Field. Georgia won the game 28-27. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia Bulldogs
3-0 (1-0)
Last week: Defeated Missouri Tigers 28-27Last rank: 9th
Say what you want about them, but the Georgia Bulldogs clearly have a ton of mental toughness under first-year head coach Kirby Smart. As such, they had the right to jump five spots in our Week Three SEC Power Rankings.
When you take into account the fact that they have a quality win against the North Carolina Tar Heels and an SEC road win against the Missouri Tigers, it’s time to stop caring about how they look in victories.
They are 3-0 with two very good wins. What more could you ask for?
Nick Chubb is inexplicably back at full healthy after such an awful injury last year, and Jacob Eason is clearly the answer for this team at quarterback. He threw the ball 55 times for 308 yards and three touchdowns last game, and he showed his clutch gene with the game-winning pass.
A very opportunistic defense is pretty exciting as well, but this unit is a bit of a concern since it is still learning Smart’s new system.
They should be fine long-term. However, with the Ole Miss Rebels on the road next week and the Vols at home the following week, their schedule gets really tough really fast. As a result, this No. 4 spot in the SEC Power Rankings could change quickly.
But they belong here for now.
Sep 17, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Rawleigh Williams III (22) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Texas State Bobcats at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 42-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Arkansas Razorbacks
3-0 (0-0)
Last week: Defeated Texas State Bobcats 42-3Last rank: 3rd
Now we are into the Tier One group of our SEC Power Rankings. The Arkansas Razorbacks didn’t miss a beat on Saturday after playing another school from Texas. They blew out the Texas State Bobcats 42-3.
Remember, the Bobcats beat the Ohio Bobcats, who gave the Tennessee Vols trouble last weekend, so such a blowout win is actually impressive.
Brett Bielema has a gamer in Austin Allen at quarterback, and he has tailored his coaching style to that, airing it out more this year behind that massive offensive line. But the defense’s incredible improvements are also a huge deal, and the running game is still in great shape with Raleigh Williams III.
Their season is now set to begin, though.
Coming up next is the Texas A&M Aggies, a team they should have beaten each of the past two years. This is a huge early season match-up to decide the fate of the SEC West and determine who stays in it down the stretch.
After that game, they get another breather against Alcorn State. And then the real season starts with Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn, Florida, and LSU set to follow. The Razorbacks will likely be a roller coaster team in our SEC Power Rankings during that time.
But their opponent this week, in what could be the game of the week, comes up next in those SEC Power Rankings.
Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Trayveon Williams (5) celebrates a touchdown with teammates during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Texas A&M defeated Aubrn 29-16. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Texas A&M Aggies
3-0 (1-0)
Last week: Defeated Auburn Tigers 29-16Last rank: 2nd
The Texas A&M Aggies are at it again, teasing fans for the third straight year about how great they can be thanks to an amazing start. Right now, though, they belong at No. 2 in our SEC Power Rankings because of strength of schedule and style points.
Kevin Sumlin’s team had an impressive Top 25 win in the opener against the UCLA Bruins, won convincingly on the road against the Auburn Tigers, and had a massive blowout in their one cupcake game. That’s enough for us to say they’ve gone above and beyond on what they needed to do to this point.
And this year could be different with that early start. After all, Trevor Knight seems like the perfect quarterback to run Sumlin’s system, as Johnny Manziel was, because he’s mobile and deadly accurate.
Meanwhile, the defense is better than ever, as it has gotten used to John Chavis in his second year. As a result, this team has earned its No. 10 ranking in the country and its No. 2 spot in our SEC Power Rankings.
Texas A&M has already played a tough schedule, but it continues this week with the Arkansas Razorbacks. As we already said, this game determines which team will be there down the stretch to challenge Alabama and LSU for SEC West supremacy.
But after Arkansas, they should have an easy win against the South Carolina Gamecocks, even if it’s on the road, and they should be favored to beat the Tennessee Vols at home the next week. So if they win Saturday, the Aggies have a real chance to be 6-0 going into their bye before traveling to Tuscaloosa.
Their stock right now is way up. And speaking of Alabama…
Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players react after a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 48-43. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama Crimson Tide
3-0 (1-0)
Last week: Defeated Ole Miss Rebels 48-43Last rank: 1st
No surprise here, Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide have still earned that No. 1 spot in our SEC Power Rankings. They finally got that Ole Miss Rebels monkey off their backs, and winning 48-43 was enough to keep them at No. 1.
Heck, the Tide spotted the Rebels a 24-3 lead and nearly collapsed at the end due to a series of miscues to almost let them come back. But in between that, they flat out dominated, at one point outscoring the Rebels 45-6. When you take that into account along with their domination over the USC Trojans, they still have the right to be the No. 1 ranked team in the country.
The Louisville Cardinals looked the most impressive last weekend, and the Ohio State Buckeyes also had an impressive victory, but Alabama is proving they belong at the top until somebody beats them.
Jalen Hurts is an emerging freshman star for the Tide, and Lane Kiffin has done an amazing job tailoring his offensive style to Hurts’s abilities. Meanwhile, Damien Harris has looked just fine at running back.
And Calvin Ridley looks great at receiver. Once again, Kiffin is developing a great quarterback-running back-wide receiver combo.
Meanwhile the defense hasn’t lost a step with the departure of Kirby Smart and the loss of so many players. Allowing 43 points last week was a fluke. They’re still dominant.
And going forward, that domination will continue to be put to the test with the brutal Tide schedule. Fortunately, though, they get a two week breather with Kent State and Kentucky.
Then they have their season-defining stretch. As they likely move to 5-0, they have to face the Arkansas Razorbacks, Tennessee Vols, Texas A&M Aggies, and LSU Tigers in four straight weeks.
Mississippi State, Chattanooga, and Auburn at home are the games to close out the season.
So eight wins is now a guarantee at this point. Those four games will determine the year. Until then, the Tide are likely to retain this spot. They are clearly No. 1 in the Week Three SEC Power Rankings.
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