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

By Caleb Calhoun

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 Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images /

Even though it was against the Vanderbilt Commodores, the Georgia Bulldogs still join the Auburn Tigers and Florida Gators as three of four teams on this list to beat a Power Five team who made a bowl game last year. And they blew out Vandy in Nashville, enough for us to put them at No. 3 in our SEC Power Rankings.

Hey, there’s no reason to believe that Vanderbilt will be worse than the Miami Hurricanes or Oregon Ducks this year given how much offensive talent they return. Kirby Smart’s defense shut that offense down easily. Meanwhile, the Dawgs certainly aren’t missing Jim Chaney after gaining 323 yards on the ground behind 147 yards from D’Andre Swift.

Smart has really turned UGA into the early 2010s Bama at this point, as they win in the most boring way. But they will overwhelm opponents all year doing it, and the only question that’s out there is if they can finally get over the hump to beat Nick Saban and win a national championship, which has eluded them since 1980.

They first have to navigate their schedule. Up next are two easy home games before they face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, which will be a legitimate test for them. Then they have a bye before returning to conference play against the Vols, which should be a cakewalk win even on the road.

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