Tennessee football: Did Akron win help Vols at all in Week 3 SEC Power Rankings?
. 3-0. Previous: . Volunteers . 3. team. 839
Defeated Akron Zips 63-6
Yes, Tennessee football is ahead of Alabama for now in our SEC Power Rankings. Again, that doesn’t mean this will last, but the Vols have accomplished more to this point. They did struggle with their Power Five foe, the Pittsburgh Panthers, on the road as well, but Alabama’s struggle with Texas was slightly greater.
Meanwhile, neither Group of Five team the Vols beat has lost to an FCS foe. That makes them look slightly tougher, at least for now, despite the fact that we all know the Akron Zips to be an atrocious team. You could flip Alabama and Tennessee football, but for now, the Vols slightly get the edge in belonging here.
Josh Heupel has his program ranked in the top 12 of both polls, and they are pushing the top 10. Morale is higher than it’s been on Rocky Top in a long time, and what’s key is that they aren’t struggling with the teams they should be blowing out. As a result, they belong here for now.
Of course, a greater test comes this week, as their curse comes to town in Florida. Then they have a bye before visiting LSU, but thanks to the bye, a 5-0 start is on the table. Should that happen, the excitement behind Heupel will be through the roof, but it starts with getting past Florida.