SEC Power Rankings following Week Two of 2019: Vols still at bottom

It was debatable for us as to whether or not we should have the Vanderbilt Commodores as high as No. 11 in these SEC Power Rankings. Despite an 0-2 start, Derek Mason’s team did have to play the Georgia Bulldogs to begin the season, and that was not going to be a game. Vandy has easily played the toughest schedule of anybody in the conference through two weeks.

But although they have played two Power Five teams, the Purdue Boilermakers was a winnable game. Jeff Brohm’s team lost to the Nevada Wolf Pack last week, and they didn’t just beat Vandy. They torched the ‘Dores to win in dominating fashion, 42-24. That margin is why we dropped them to No. 13 in these rankings.

Going forward, this team probably wants to stick with Riley Neal at quarterback, and Ke’Shawn Vaughn needs more touches. He’s still an elite back, so the more he gets the ball, the better off Vanderbilt will be.

They get an early bye as well, since it’s this week. But afterward, things don’t get any easier for this program, as they will have to face the LSU Tigers. So 0-3 is a certainty now as well. What will define their season and if they can be competitive is after that, when they face the Northern Illinois Huskies, Ole Miss Rebels, UNLV Rebels, Missouri Tigers, and South Carolina Gamecocks.