Tennessee football up two spots in SEC Power Rankings after Week 5 of 2020

Tennessee and Missouri players shake hands midfield following a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, October 3, 2020.Kns Ut Football Missouri Bp
Tennessee and Missouri players shake hands midfield following a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, October 3, 2020.Kns Ut Football Missouri Bp
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Missouri quarterback Connor Bazelak (8) hands the ball off to Missouri running back Larry Rountree III (34) during the third quarter during a game between Tennessee and Missouri at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020.100320 Tenn Mo Jpg
Missouri quarterback Connor Bazelak (8) hands the ball off to Missouri running back Larry Rountree III (34) during the third quarter during a game between Tennessee and Missouri at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020.100320 Tenn Mo Jpg

Lost to Tennessee Volunteers 35-12

Unlike the Vanderbilt Commodores or Kentucky Wildcats, the Missouri Tigers look a lot better as an 0-2 team simply due to schedule strength. We’ve already said our breakdown for these rankings go by record, head-to-head, schedule strength and then margin of victory. Although Mizzou has been blown out in two games, their schedule counts for something.

In his first year as head coach at Missouri, Eliah Drinkwitz started the season off facing two teams who are currently 2-0 and ranked in the top 15. He first faced the Alabama Crimson Tide and fell behind 35-3 but used a strong second half to make the game a respectable 38-19 loss. Last weekend, his team provided a scare at times despite losing 38-19 to Tennessee football.

This offense has some promise, and while Connor Bazelak was the better player last week, it would probably work out for Drinkwitz to keep alternating quarterbacks between Bazelak and Shawn Robinson. Now, the defense is a major issue, particularly on the defensive line, but there are still some positives, and Drinkwitz is a great offensive mind.

Can this team get on a run? Well, up next is a visit to the LSU Tigers, who at least seem to have corrected their issues from the Mississippi State Bulldogs game. After that, Mizzou faces the Vanderbilt Commodores, and there is where they have their most likely chance at a first win. Of course, they have the Florida Gators right after that, so it will continue to be rough.