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All for Tennessee Official Week 8 SEC Power Rankings: Vols Move Up

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 24, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back David Williams (33) celebrates his touchdown with South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Brandon McIlwain (11) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back David Williams (33) celebrates his touchdown with South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Brandon McIlwain (11) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /

A close win over the UMASS Minutemen is not going to be enough to move the South Carolina Gamecocks up from this spot in our SEC Power Rankings. Sure, this is the same team that gave the Mississippi State Bulldogs hell and competed with the Florida Gators for a half.

But as we have seen, there is absolutely nothing impressive about that at this point.

In this game, Will Muschamp’s first team at least showed that it has some offensive firepower with a new quarterback in Jake Bentley, who was highly efficient. He was able to spark the running game with Rico Rico Dowdle and David Williams.

Perhaps that’s something they can build on.

However, in the process, they developed some concerns on defense. The Gamecocks gave up 28 points and nearly 400 yards to a MAC team that is 1-7 on the year. That’s pretty embarrassing, and it’s what keeps them here on the list.

We’ll have a better read on this team and its new quarterback this Saturday with Butch Jones and the Tennessee Vols coming to town. Muschamp is facing them off of a bye week.

However, if they want to reach a bowl, they’re going to have to beat either the Florida Gators, Clemson Tigers, or the Vols. So things aren’t looking good.

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