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Tennessee football reaches its peak in SEC Power Rankings after 2021 regular season

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Will Sheppard (14) reaches for a pass as Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Warren Burrell (4) defends during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Will Sheppard (14) reaches for a pass as Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Warren Burrell (4) defends during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2021; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Missouri Tigers tight end Messiah Swinson (80) runs after a catch during the second half as Arkansas Razorbacks defensive lineman Isaiah Nichols (93) pursues at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2021; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Missouri Tigers tight end Messiah Swinson (80) runs after a catch during the second half as Arkansas Razorbacks defensive lineman Isaiah Nichols (93) pursues at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

6-6 (3-5). Previous: . Tigers . 10. team. 822.

Last week: Lost to Arkansas Razorbacks 34-17

Like South Carolina, Missouri moved up our SEC Power Rankings by beating up on lower-tier programs. They are ahead of the Gamecocks because they beat them while both teams beat Florida. However, after that thrilling win over UF to reach bowl eligibility, they fell back to reality this past weekend against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Eliah Drinkwitz’s second season in Columbia did not meet expectations, and things seemed bleak after that 62-24 loss to Tennessee football. Running the table later in the season, though, deserves some respect, and they are at least going bowling.

Don’t forget that this team is a touchdown in two games away from being 8-4. Their heartbreaking losses to the Kentucky Wildcats and Boston College Eagles easily could have gone the other way, and 8-4 would be a completely different story.

Now, after finishing 2020 with a 5-5 record, they have a chance to finish this season above .500 in their bowl game. That would be another step in the right direction for Drinkwitz’s program. The seat could get a bit warmer if another step isn’t taken within the next couple of years, but the mental toughness of this team given where they were has to count for something.

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