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SEC Power Rankings following Week Four of 2019: Vols still the worst

By Caleb Calhoun

GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Josh Palmer #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Josh Palmer #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images /

817. . 4-0 (1-0). Previous: . Tigers . 3. team

Sure, they have the best win of anybody in the league right now. And they did just drop 66 points on the road in a victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores. But the LSU Tigers gave up 38 points in that game, and concerns are starting to arise about their defensive issues. It’s something that we have to bring up despite how fun the offense is to watch.

LSU has allowed 38 points twice now in its two games against Power Five programs, and that combined with what other teams did was enough for us to drop them at this point in our SEC Power Rankings. They are not the LSU of old because of their offense, but it should not come at a sacrifice to their traditionally great defenses.

Still, there isn’t much to worry about yet. All four teams, and maybe five, at the top of these power rankings are interchangeable. And LSU was never seriously threatened against Vanderbilt, while the Texas Longhorns had a meaningless touchdown late.

So for now, this isn’t a fear. They have a bye coming up to work on the issues before hosting the Utah State Aggies. Then they get another real test with the Florida Gators at home before visiting the Mississippi State Bulldogs, hosting the Auburn Tigers and visiting the Alabama Crimson Tide. That is the stretch that will define the season for Ed Orgeron’s team.

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