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SEC Power Rankings following Week 3 of 2018: Vols still near bottom

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Kai Locksley #1 of the UTEP Miners tries to avoid a tackle from Defensive back Micah Abernathy #22 of the Tennessee Volunteers and Linebacker Jonathan Kongbo #99 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game between the UTEP Miners and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-0. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Kai Locksley #1 of the UTEP Miners tries to avoid a tackle from Defensive back Micah Abernathy #22 of the Tennessee Volunteers and Linebacker Jonathan Kongbo #99 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game between the UTEP Miners and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-0. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /

The nature of being undefeated would seem like enough to put the Mississippi State Bulldogs over the Auburn Tigers. But Gus Malzahn’s team still has that impressive quality win over the Washington Huskies to start the year. They also looked better in their game against an FCS opponent, as they actually managed to score over 60 points.

Sure, Auburn lost this past week to the LSU Tigers at home. But we’ll get to LSU’s impressive resume and talent in a minute. The fact is, Auburn is 2-1 with two games against ranked teams. Only one other team, who is ahead of them, has played two ranked teams in the process.

And by the way, their loss this past weekend at home to LSU may be devastating. But it’s worth pointing out that they lost by one point, and it was due to a series of mistakes on their end combined with a missed pass interference call that would have secured the game for them on the other end.

So yes, a close loss like that, even at home, warrants this team staying in the top four of our SEC Power Rankings. As much as it hurts, they still have a lot to play for. The Arkansas Razorbacks and Southern Miss Golden Eagles at home over the next two games gets them to 4-1.

Following that, they’ll have a chance to redeem themselves with a road trip to the Mississippi State Bulldogs, which we have already noted is going to be a difficult match-up. So there’s still a lot of football left to play, and this one close loss in a great SEC showdown shouldn’t discourage them just yet.

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