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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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images /

By almost losing, the Vanderbilt Commodores actually moved up in our SEC Power Rankings ever so slightly. They were just a dropped pass on a fourth down away from needing less than 10 yards to beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on the road.

That is very impressive for Derek Mason’s program. It’s even more impressive than last year’s win over the Kansas State Wildcats. Remember, this Notre Dame team did beat the Michigan Wolverines to start the year, and they have a solid defense.

The ‘Dores showed they can really play with lots of top-notch teams in the country, and that’s a big deal. Sure, Kentucky has the better record. But the Wildcats beating the Florida Gators on the road is not as impressive as Vanderbilt threatening Notre Dame, at least this year. So for now, we have Vanderbilt ahead of them.

This team has a chance to really prove itself this week, though, by hosting the South Carolina Gamecocks. They should actually expect to win against an opponent I still consider to be highly overrated. Following that, they host TSU. So should they win Saturday, they should easily get to 4-1 before beginning their overall conference stretch.

Given what they showed on Saturday, there’s no reason to believe the Commodores can’t do just that. They have proven that they can play with anybody, and their defense is legit. So maybe this team will be for real this year.

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