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Tennessee football in top half of SEC Power Rankings for Week 1 of 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Volunteers gather and sing the alma mater after the Tennessee vs Ball State football game in Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Utvsballstate 2461
Volunteers gather and sing the alma mater after the Tennessee vs Ball State football game in Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Utvsballstate 2461 /
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Volunteers attempt to rip the ball out Ball State running back Rico Barfield’s (34) hands during the Tennessee vs Ball State football game in Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Utvsballstate 2933
Volunteers attempt to rip the ball out Ball State running back Rico Barfield’s (34) hands during the Tennessee vs Ball State football game in Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Utvsballstate 2933 /

839. . 1-0. . Volunteers . 6. team

Defeated Ball State Cardinals 59-10

For the second straight year, Tennessee football blew out a MAC opponent to open the season. However, this one looked a lot prettier than their 38-6 win over the Bowling Green Falcons last year. The Vols’ 59-10 win over the Ball State Cardinals wasn’t even that close, as they pulled everybody by the third quarter.

Things started off red-hot immediately, as UT intercepted a pass on the first play of the game from scrimmage and then threw a touchdown pass on the very next play. They were a bit rusty after that in the first quarter, but they still dominated that half to go up 38-0.

Josh Heupel’s offense looked as great as ever, and the defense looked to be able to do what it needed to do. Hendon Hooker’s ridiculous efficiency launched what should be a dark-horse Heisman campaign for him, and he appears to have even more weapons this year.

Of course, this was all on display against Ball State. We’ll find out if Tennessee football truly is improved when they visit the Pittsburgh Panthers this week. A win there should have them undefeated when Florida comes to town at the end of September, as they face the Akron Zips next week. Until then, though, they’re at least in the top half of our SEC Power Rankings.

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