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Tennessee football in bottom five of Week 1 SEC Power Rankings for 2021

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive lineman Da'Jon Terry (95) and offensive lineman Parker Ball (65) warming up tbefore the start of the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Bowling Green Falcons in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, September 2, 2021.Ut Bowling Green
Tennessee defensive lineman Da'Jon Terry (95) and offensive lineman Parker Ball (65) warming up tbefore the start of the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Bowling Green Falcons in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, September 2, 2021.Ut Bowling Green /
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Kentucky quarterback Will Levis throws for a completion in the first quarter against the ULM Warhawks at Kroger Field in Lexington.Catswarhawks04
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis throws for a completion in the first quarter against the ULM Warhawks at Kroger Field in Lexington.Catswarhawks04 /

1-0. . Wildcats . 5. team. 833.

Last week: Defeated Louisiana Monroe Warhawks 45-10

Mark Stoops continues to remain consistent at one of the most difficult places to win in the SEC, and his Kentucky Wildcats got off to a highly impressive start over the weekend. Will they finish this high in our power rankings or even remain here when October arrives? That’s highly unlikely, but they’re still in a better position than Tennessee football despite the two schools’ history.

A dominant win like the one included their identity under Stoops plus some new flare. The identity part is a dominant defense that held the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks to 88 total yards. Meanwhile, they added some offensive flare with Will Levis completing 18-of-26 passes (69.2 percent) for 367 yards and four touchdowns.

Add in 19 carries for 125 yards by Christopher Rodriguez Jr. (6.6 yards per carry) along with a touchdown, and you’ve got an offense that had over 560 yards of total offense. The only concern was turnovers, as Levis had an interception, and UK had two fumbles. That can be fixed, though.

Up next: Missouri Tigers

Obviously, we have the Missouri Tigers way down on our list, but this is the perfect game for either of these programs to define themselves. Kentucky will either stay here or potentially move up with a win but won’t fall too much with a loss. This is their chance to prove they are still rolling under Stoops.

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