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Tennessee football falls after not playing in Week 5 SEC Power Rankings

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) congratulates Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy (15) on his touchdown during the first half of a game between the Tennessee Vols and Florida Gators, in Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.Utvsflorida0924 02243
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) congratulates Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy (15) on his touchdown during the first half of a game between the Tennessee Vols and Florida Gators, in Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.Utvsflorida0924 02243 /
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Parity was the story of the SEC during Tennessee football’s bye week. What looked like a couple of flukes two Saturdays ago is really just the result of no team truly standing out above others, and that made for some wild games this past weekend. Most of the time the favorite won, but it was far too close considering what was expected.

As we get set to break down our SEC Power Rankings following Week 5, a series of games hurt the Vols. Although they didn’t play, one team they beat suffered a loss that hurts the quality win level UT would otherwise receive. Quality wins by other SEC teams hurt them.

Of course, the gauntlet of Rocky Top’s schedule began with the Florida Gators and will continue in their return from their bye, so they’ll have chances to move up soon enough. We’ll talk about that in this post. See how far Tennessee football fell and where everybody else stands in our SEC Power Rankings following Week 5 of 2022.

Other teams moved ahead of the Tennessee football Volunteers in our Southeastern Conference standings for this week.

Sep 3, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea looks on from the sideline during the first half against the Elon Phoenix at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea looks on from the sideline during the first half against the Elon Phoenix at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

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Did not play

Just like the Vols, the Vanderbilt Commodores had a much-needed bye week. There are three teams in in the league who have yet to beat a Power Five foe, and they all belong at the bottom of our SEC Power Rankings. Since Vandy’s last game was a blowout loss, albeit to the Alabama Crimson Tide, they have to stay down here.

Clark Lea’s team has taken a dramatic step forward over last year, already surpassing their 2020 win totals and actually winning their games significantly. However, that doesn’t mean that any bowl game or top 25 finish is on the table. There’s still a lot of work to do.

Up next is a visit from the Ole Miss Rebels, another red-hot team. Then they visit the Georgia Bulldogs. Unlike Tennessee football, they don’t have much to look forward to after their bye. Still, after that, they have the next two teams who haven’t beaten Power Five teams, so five wins is possible if things go right.

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