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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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Sep 4, 2021; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jordan Burch (3) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Eastern Illinois Panthers in the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jordan Burch (3) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Eastern Illinois Panthers in the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /

850. . 1-0. . Gamecocks . 13. team

Last week: Defeated Eastern Illinois Panthers 46-0

There’s a huge gap between the South Carolina Gamecocks at No. 13 in our SEC Power Rankings and the Vanderbilt Commodores at No. 14. However, they are the only two schools on here to have not played an FBS program, and since nobody lost to a Group of Five program or worse outside of Vandy, USC’s team has to be here.

On the other hand, Shane Beamer got off to a solid start as head coach of the program. His team’s rushing attack told the story, as they averaged five and a half yards a carry with 258 total yards. Zaquandre White led the way with 128 yards and 10.7 yards a carry.

Defense was another huge storyline. South Carolina pitched a shutout and forced two interceptions, including a pick-six from Jordan Burch. Holding Eastern Illinois to just 109 total yards was incredibly impressive.

Up next: At East Carolina Pirates

Although that was a nice start, USC still has to prove it’s better than last year’s 2-8 team that got Will Muschamp fired. They are still a predicted win for Tennessee football. However, this week, visiting ECU, a solid Group of Five program, is certainly a great chance for them to move up these rankings and showcase where they are.

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