Tennessee football still too low in both polls despite reaching top 20

It’s their highest ranking since starting 2-0 in 2020. After beating the Pittsburgh Panthers, who were ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll and No. 14 in the Coaches Poll going into the game, Tennessee football is finally in the top 25 of both polls. In fact, they are even higher.

The Vols jumped 10 spots to No. 16 in the Coaches Poll after being just one spot out last week. Meanwhile, they jumped nine spots to No. 15 in the AP Poll. Being where they are makes sense to a degree. However, one team has no business being ahead of them.

For some reason, the Utah Utes remain ahead of Tennessee football in both polls. In fact, they are one spot ahead of them, as the Vols are the highest ranked undefeated team to be below a team with a loss in both polls, and yes, that team is Utah.

Honestly, this isn’t even about UT, though. Utah lost to the Florida Gators, and Florida has since lost to the Kentucky Wildcats, so Utah lost to a team that has a loss. Their win Saturday was over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds. Sure, they won 73-7, but are we really going to prop up a team for margin of victory against an FCS school?

Right now, Utah has no wins against FBS schools and has lost to a team with a loss. The Vols have two wins against FBS schools, one against a Power Five school on the road. There is no metric in which they should be behind Utah in these rankings.

If not for preseason rankings, Tennessee football would be ahead of numerous other teams too. The Miami Hurricanes and N.C. State Wolfpack each have an FCS and Group of Five win so far. Miami is ahead of the Vols in both polls, and N.C. State is ahead of them in the AP Poll. Based on resume, UT should be ahead of them.

Multiple other teams have yet to beat a ranked foe or a Power Five foe. The Michigan State Spartans, Michigan Wolverines and Oklahoma Sooners have all beaten two Group of Five foes to get to 2-0. It’s worth noting the Clemson Tigers, USC Trojans and Oklahoma State Cowboys haven’t beaten any ranked foes.

There is a legitimate argument to put Josh Heupel’s team in the top 10 of both polls after Saturday’s win when you look at those factors. At the very least, they should be ranked No. 13, as they should clear-cut be ahead of N.C. State, Utah and Miami.

Honestly, they should also probably be ahead of Michigan State, Michigan and Oklahoma, and that’s where you get the top 10 case. Clemson, USC and Oklahoma State is a different story, and you can throw the Ohio State Buckeyes into that mixed, as their ranked win, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, are 0-2.

Simply put, Tennessee football has a road win over a Power Five program who was ranked at the time. That Power Five school also has a win over another Power Five school. Their resume is easily better than Utah’s, and it’s better than so many other resumes out there right now.