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 17, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Rakeem Boyb (5) celebrates with wide receiver Tyson Morris (19) after rushing for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Rakeem Boyb (5) celebrates with wide receiver Tyson Morris (19) after rushing for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

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Sam Pittman’s revitalization of the Arkansas Razorbacks is something to behold, and if not for a bad call and the fact that they had to face the Georgia Bulldogs, these guys could be undefeated. To be fair, they have only beaten the Ole Miss Rebels and Mississippi State Bulldogs, and both of those teams have only one win each, but the improvement is clear.

There is no telling to what Kendal Briles may have drawn up with Feleipe Franks and Rakeem Boyd while the team was off on a bye week. With Pittman instilling a sense of toughness in the team, Briles’ brilliant offensive mind and the key skill weapons spread out across the field, the Hogs aren’t done yet scaring good teams and upsetting bad teams.

All of a sudden, fans have every reason to expect a potential winning record out of this team. It’s nowhere near the program that was completely destroyed over the past two years under Chad Morris, and Pittman may be a candidate for coach of the year in the league and maybe the nation.

How improved this team is will be put to the test once again on Saturday. The Razorbacks have to visit the Texas A&M Aggies, giving them another chance at a huge upset. After that, they will host a Tennessee football team coming off a bye, and then they visit the Florida Gators. However, Tennessee football, the LSU Tigers and the Missouri Tigers give them a shot at .500.