SEC Power Rankings for 2019 preseason: Should Vols start in bottom tier?

Preseason SEC Power Rankings for 2019: Should Vols start in bottom tier?

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers brings his team onto the field prior to a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images /

Given everything that has happened to the Ole Miss Rebels as a program over the past few years, Matt Luke had a lot to be proud of with his team early on last year. They made it to 5-2 midway through October, and a bowl looked likely.

However, their late-season collapse, losing their final five games, combined with a recruiting class below the Arkansas Razorbacks could give reason to put them in last place in our SEC Power Rankings. After all, their last outing was a 35-3 loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

On top of that, they lost nearly half their overall production. Factored into those losses was 70 percent of their offense, which was their strength last year, and quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, who carried them. As a result, the Rebels have less to be excited about than anybody entering the season. But for now, we’re still keeping them ahead of the Hogs.

After all, you can’t ignore how bad Arkansas was last year, and Ole Miss lost one of those final five games by four and another one in overtime. So they were at least competitive. There’s a very good chance Arkansas does end up surpassing them soon enough, but they have to prove it on the field before we change anything.

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