Tennessee football: Vols continue slide in SEC Power Rankings after Week 8

Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs the ball during the Alabama and Tennessee football game at Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.Tennessee Vs Alabama Football 100315
Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs the ball during the Alabama and Tennessee football game at Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.Tennessee Vs Alabama Football 100315
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Oct 24, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Larry Rountree III (34) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Larry Rountree III (34) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Defeated Kentucky Wildcats 20-10

A rough start to the season seems like it was a long time ago now. There was no shame in the Missouri Tigers losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide, but hidden in their loss at Tennessee football was the fact that they moved the ball well once Connor Bazelak came into the game at quarterback, and ever since then, they’ve been a dangerous team.

Coming off a bye, Mizzou was able to beat a Kentucky team that blew out that Vols team just a week ago. On top of that, their win over the LSU Tigers looks better now that Ed Orgeron’s team managed to blow out the South Carolina Gamecocks. Simply put, there were plenty of reasons to move these guys up our SEC Power Rankings.

Eliah Drinkwitz has consistently proven his ability in the past to make a splash his first year on the job. Offenses don’t need years to figure out his schemes the way they may need for a Mike Leach or somebody like that. All Drinkwitz needed was the right quarterback, and after gaining over 400 yards with no turnovers against an elite UK defense, it looks like he has found that.

Now we get to see how effective that is. While the Tigers have a solid path to a winning record to close out the season with games against the South Carolina Gamecocks, Arkansas Razorbacks, Mississippi State Bulldogs and Vanderbilt Commodores, they first have to face the Georgia Bulldogs, and up next for them is the next team in these power rankings.