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Tennessee football unchanged after bye in Week 9 SEC Power Rankings

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive backs Jaylen McCollough (22) Trevon Flowers (1), and and Theo Jackson (26) celebrate Flwoers fumble recovery during the NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 16, 2021.Utvom1016
Tennessee defensive backs Jaylen McCollough (22) Trevon Flowers (1), and and Theo Jackson (26) celebrate Flwoers fumble recovery during the NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 16, 2021.Utvom1016 /
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Oct 30, 2021; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Dillon Johnson (23) reacts with wide receiver Makai Polk (10) and offensive lineman Cole Smith (57) after a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2021; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Dillon Johnson (23) reacts with wide receiver Makai Polk (10) and offensive lineman Cole Smith (57) after a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Bulldogs . 6. team. 893. . 5-3 (3-2). Previous:

Last week: Defeated Kentucky Wildcats 31-17

Mike Leach’s program is finally taking off. Thanks to him and Mississippi State, Tennessee football gets to face a reeling Kentucky team Saturday that may be losing its confidence. This was the biggest win of the Leach era at MSU since his first game with them, when they upset LSU.

Even with three losses, that was enough to move this team up to No. 6 in our SEC Power Rankings. How can we ignore them beating Kentucky so badly? Kentucky’s better record doesn’t outweigh that, and since they are just one game apart in terms of records, there’s no way we can justify putting Kentucky ahead of them.

Now, Leach has to prove his team deserves being here. We’re still talking about the most inconsistent program in the league. He beat the N.C. State Wolfpack on the road and then lost to the Memphis Tigers a week apart. Keeping it together is a big deal. Maybe that’s what the concern of Tennessee football hiring him was.

That test really comes over the next two weeks, as MSU visits Arkansas and Auburn. Ole Miss at home at the end of the year is still on the slate as well. They’ve got to win one or two of those. The good news, though, is that a bowl game is likely certain now with five wins and the Tennessee State Tigers at home still on the slate.

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