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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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images /

Similar to the Missouri Tigers, the Ole Miss Rebels lost to a Group of Five program. Also similar to the Missouri Tigers, we still have them ahead of the South Carolina Gamecocks in our SEC Power Rankings because they lost to a program that is still better than the South Carolina Gamecocks, and they lost on the road.

Memphis is the toughest program any team in the league lost to this week. In their fourth year under Mike Norvell, this should be the best team in Tiger history, and they should be a favorite to represent the Group of Five in the New Year’s Six this year. Yes, their potential to be in the national picture is that real.

As a result, Matt Luke’s team holding Memphis to 15 points and losing 15-10 is actually a bit of a surprise. Considering Memphis’s elite offense and all the defensive issues facing Ole Miss, that’s actually a major positive. Now yes, the Rebels’ offensive woes are concerning, but they were breaking in a new quarterback in Matt Corral. So there are plenty of reasons for encouragement.

Going forward, they have a chance to get on a roll. The Arkansas Razorbacks head to town this weekend, then they face Southeastern Louisiana. That should get them to 2-1 before a huge opportunity arises with the Cal Golden Bears coming to town. Two of the next three games will define their season.

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