SEC Power Rankings after Week 1 of 2019: Yes, Vols are tanking

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 31: The Tennessee Volunteers warm up before the season opener against the Georgia State Panthers at Neyland Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 31: The Tennessee Volunteers warm up before the season opener against the Georgia State Panthers at Neyland Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images /

We begin with the upper-echelon of our SEC Power Rankings and the first team on this list to actually look impressive in some ways in the season’s opening weekend. The Texas A&M Aggies had a slow start against the Texas State Bobcats under Jimbo Fisher, but they still managed to win the game 41-7.

Now, we have no idea what to make of this win. Texas State is not like the Toledo Rockets or Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns. They are a horrible team and undergoing a coaching change, so A&M should have won that game in a blowout. The real story is the fact that they were up 41-0 before late in the fourth, so the defense is looking good.

Kellen Mond, however, was mediocre, completing 19-of-27 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. Isaiah Spiller and Jashaun Corbin were the story, though, as both rushed for over 100 yards, showing that Fisher really should have incredible balance here. That has always been his staple.

We’ll get a pretty good idea of what the Aggies look like this week, as they travel to face the No. 1 ranked Clemson Tigers on the road. That’s a major upgrade from Texas State, and they did play them close last year. So with more experience and expectations of taking a major step forward this year, the Aggies will be looking for the win.