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Tennessee football falls slightly in Week 2 SEC Power Rankings

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive back Doneiko Slaughter (3) celebrates with a coach during an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 11, 2021.Utvpitt0911 2095
Tennessee defensive back Doneiko Slaughter (3) celebrates with a coach during an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 11, 2021.Utvpitt0911 2095 /
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Pittsburgh wide receiver Jared Wayne (5) celebrates a play during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Pittsburgh Panthers in Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Kns Ut Pitt Footbal Bp
Pittsburgh wide receiver Jared Wayne (5) celebrates a play during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Pittsburgh Panthers in Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Kns Ut Pitt Footbal Bp /

Volunteers . 12. team. 839. . 1-1. Previous:

Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh Panthers 41-34

You could make a case for Tennessee football to be below the Vanderbilt Commodores or LSU Tigers. After all, the Vols’ only win, against the Bowling Green Falcons, is against what is basically an FCS program. Sure, they won 38-6, but it was ugly, and in reality, they’ve proven about as much as LSU at this point.

However, we have to put some stock into strength of schedule for now, and beating a Group of Five team while losing to a Power Five team has to count for something. The Pittsburgh Panthers are 2-0, and the Vols did take them to the final few minutes.

Don’t get it twisted, though. Josh Heupel’s team is in trouble. The goal this year was bowl eligibility on the field, and Pitt was the one true toss-up game the Vols had. Losing that one at home could prove disastrous.

There won’t be any chance for Tennessee football to make much of a jump in our SEC Power Rankings this week, as they host the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. Then they have a sure loss at the Florida Gators, so their next real chance at making any real statement is against the next team on this list.

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