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Tennessee football shoots up Week 10 SEC Power Rankings with win at Kentucky

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee running back Len'Neth Whitehead (27) takes down Kentucky running back Kavosiey Smoke (0) during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football
Tennessee running back Len'Neth Whitehead (27) takes down Kentucky running back Kavosiey Smoke (0) during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football /
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Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Tiyon Evans (8) and tight end Hunter Salmon (89) celebrate with wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) after he scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter to put the Tennessee Volunteers ahead 44-35 against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Tiyon Evans (8) and tight end Hunter Salmon (89) celebrate with wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) after he scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter to put the Tennessee Volunteers ahead 44-35 against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

team. 839. . 5-4 (3-3). Previous: . Volunteers . 8

Last week: Defeated Kentucky Wildcats 45-42

Yes, Tennessee football deserved a three-spot leap with its win over Kentucky. Sure, Kentucky is reeling right now, on a three-game losing streak. However, the Wildcats hadn’t lost at home yet, and they were still in the top 20 when they played the Vols, so this win has to count for something, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

It’s also worth noting that UT now has a new quality SEC win, as beating South Carolina looks a lot more impressive. Only that Missouri win is a throwaway SEC win. The Vols have really established themselves under Josh Heupel, as they didn’t even need 14 minutes of possession to win Saturday. They just scored quickly and at will.

The win gives them a shot at finishing second in the East. They’ll at worst finish third. To finish second they either have to upset Georgia, or Vanderbilt has to upset Kentucky this Saturday. Still, being in this position is a remarkable accomplishment given everything Heupel inherited.

This program is riding high with that win and the conclusion of its internal investigation last week for NCAA violations under Jeremy Pruitt, which won’t involve a self-imposed bowl ban. After Georgia, Tennessee football hosts the South Alabama Jaguars and Vanderbilt. As a result, a winning season is effectively assured.

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