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Tennessee football slightly down again in Week 8 SEC Power Rankings

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) fends off a tackle attempt by Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp
Tennessee wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) fends off a tackle attempt by Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp /
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Oct 23, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Malik Heath (4) celebrates with Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Austin Williams (85) Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Makai Polk (10) and mascot Bully after a touchdown during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Malik Heath (4) celebrates with Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Austin Williams (85) Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Makai Polk (10) and mascot Bully after a touchdown during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

893. . 4-3 (2-2). Previous: . Bulldogs . 10. team

Last week: Defeated Vanderbilt Commodores 45-6

Mike Leach and Mississippi State continue to alternate between looking good and bad on a week to week basis. It also helped that they played the best team and the worst team in our SEC Power Rankings to bolster that argument, but hey, not everybody has blown out Vanderbilt this year, just like how not everybody has been blown out by Alabama.

Both applied to Mississippi State. Looking that good in a win plus having that quality win over Texas A&M is what puts them ahead of Tennessee football in our power rankings right now, even if both teams are in the same tier. The Vols being on a two-game losing streak required us to switch them up.

Leach’s offense finally looked like an MSU offense last weekend. Considering what we know Vandy is capable of doing defensively under Clark Lea, don’t fully dismiss that. In every way, the Bulldogs finally put together the performance people have been looking for. The defense remains surprisingly elite as well.

Now, though, things get tough, as they have to host Kentucky, visit Arkansas and visit Auburn. They also host Ole Miss to close out the season. The Tennessee State Tigers are the only sure win left, but they have to win one of those other games to reach a bowl.

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