Tennessee football moves up in Week 15 SEC Power Rankings

Vanderbilt defensive lineman Cameron Tidd (90) returns a fumble by Tennessee quarterback Harrison Bailey (15) during the first quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.Gw42957
Vanderbilt defensive lineman Cameron Tidd (90) returns a fumble by Tennessee quarterback Harrison Bailey (15) during the first quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.Gw42957 /
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Dec 12, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Larry Rountree III (34) celebrates with tight end Daniel Parker Jr. (82) and wide receiver Keke Chism (6) after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Larry Rountree III (34) celebrates with tight end Daniel Parker Jr. (82) and wide receiver Keke Chism (6) after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

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Lost to Georgia Bulldogs 49-14

There’s no shame in the Missouri Tigers losing to the Georgia Bulldogs. Eliah Drinkwitz has still done a fabulous job with Mizzou in his first year simply by assuring that they would finish the regular season with a .500 record. UGA just happens to be an elite program that the Tigers aren’t ready for yet.

A loss by them and a key win by another middle of the pack team in the league forced us to drop them one spot in our SEC Power Rankings. But they are clearly a top 25 caliber team and belong in the top half of the league. They have beaten every team they are supposed to beat this year with the major exception of Tennessee football.

Still we have them ahead of the Vols and now behind one team they beat, so it evens out. Sam Pittman and Lane Kiffin probably did better jobs in their first year overall simply because they had much tougher roads, but Drinkwitz still did a good job and deserves lots of credit.

Now, Mizzou can guarantee themselves a winning record on the year. Up next for them is a visit to the Mississippi State Bulldogs. That should be a win, but we already have evidence that Mike Leach is capable of pulling a rabbit out of the hat even in a bad year.