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Tennessee football rises by default in Week 3 SEC Power Rankings

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football
Tennessee wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football /
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Sep 18, 2021; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Ed Ogeron looks on from on the sideline as the Tigers take on Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Clause/The Advertiser via USA TODAY NETWORK
Sep 18, 2021; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Ed Ogeron looks on from on the sideline as the Tigers take on Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Clause/The Advertiser via USA TODAY NETWORK /

Previous: . Tigers . 9. team. 817. . 2-1

Last week: Defeated Central Michigan Chippewas 49-21

Honestly, the LSU Tigers could have risen further. Only one factor kept them from moving up to No. 8, and it’s the overall resume portion of what they’ve done. The UCLA Bruins just lost to the Fresno State Bulldogs, so like Tennessee football, we have to hold it against them that their one Power Five loss is to a team that lost to a Group of Five team.

Still, Ed Orgeron’s kids actually looked really good on Saturday. The Central Michigan Chippewas are a solid team, and they came within 10 points of Missouri. Jim McElwain could lead that program to a MAC title this year.

Now, to be fair, the body of work approach still applies, and CMU hasn’t beaten an FBS team yet. However, the McNeese State Cowboys actually got a win over the weekend, so that combined with the recency of LSU looking strong against a Power Five program was enough for us to move them up five spots in our SEC Power Rankings, ahead of those teams we named.

With SEC play about to begin, though, things could get really tough for them quickly once again. They first have to visit Mississippi State Bulldogs, and then they host the Auburn Tigers. Florida is still on the slate too.

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