SEC Power Rankings following Week 4 of 2018: Vols still near bottom

In typical Vanderbilt fashion under Derek Mason, the Commodores shocked us by playing so well against a non-conference opponent the previous week that we overhyped them heading into conference play. Then they managed to remind us who they really are with a blowout loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks at home.

This was very similar to last year, when the ‘Dores started off 3-0 after a huge win over the Kansas State Wildcats only to suffer a historic blowout loss the next week to the Alabama Crimson Tide, which started their downward slide. They finished 5-7 with only one conference win, and that was against the Vols.

For now, we had to drop this team near the bottom of our SEC Power Rankings, and there’s a chance they could fall even further. They get one more breather this week at home against Tennessee State, but then the SEC gauntlet begins with a road trip to the Georgia Bulldogs.

The Commodores also have the Kentucky Wildcats on the road this year, which looks like an unwinnable game, and the Missouri Tigers on the road is an uphill climb. So assuming they win this weekend, their best chance at bowl eligibility is to beat the Arkansas Razorbacks on the road and win two of three at home against the Florida Gators, Ole Miss Rebels, and Tennessee.