Through six weeks, despite the drama and controversy at quarterback, Tennessee is 5-1 on the season. Plenty of doubters have been silenced, but the hope is more of the same will be on the way this weekend with No. 6 Alabama making its way to Knoxville. This game alone is going to teach us a lot about the Vols.
With a win, the UT faithful can seriously start dreaming about a return trip to the College Football Playoff after missing out on things last year. With a loss, the mountain is going to become even more difficult to climb. Bama is without question one of the best teams in the SEC, which is going to make this showdown tough for the home side.
Tennessee is, for now, on the outside looking in of the Top 5 when it comes to our SEC rankings, but that all can change in a big way if the Vols can pull off an upset. Leading up to kickoff, this is where we think things stand for the conference, as everyone is chasing Georgia.
SEC Power Rankings after Week 6: Tennessee holds the No. 6 spot, with Georgia No. 1
1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Missouri
4. Texas
5. Ole Miss
6. Tennessee
7. Kentucky
8. LSU
9. Oklahoma
10. Mississippi State
11. South Carolina
12. Florida
13. Texas A&M
14. Auburn
15. Vanderbilt
16. Arkansas
Previously, the Longhorns and Arch Manning were the No. 1 squad in the SEC, but the loss to Oklahoma was a complete and total stunner. It opened the door for UGA to sit at the top, while Bama is close behind following the heartbreaking loss to the Dawgs in Tuscaloosa.
Missouri keeps surprising people, while Ole Miss and Trinidad Chambliss are always going to be a team to keep a close eye on. Then with Tennessee, the 20-17 loss to the Longhorns is the lone blemish on the schedule, but it was also of course a game Tennessee was in a great spot to potentially win.
That's all forgotten, and now the full focus is on taking down the Tide. That's of course not going to be easy, but the Vols could benefit immensely from center Racin Delgatty (knee) and wideout Ryan Coleman-Williams (concussion) both being longshots to be ready to go for kickoff on Saturday. That won't make or break things for Bama, but it'd be two major losses for the offense.
Speaking of offense, Heupel is leaving it pretty unknown who's going to lead his O out onto the field between George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon. From our chair, G-Mac should get the start, but Heupel is going to let practice over the coming days make the decision for him.
Assuming MacIntyre gets the nod for the second consecutive week, he'll have to keep taking calculated shots downfield, with both Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley ready to deliver for him. Oh, and let's not forget that the ground game and DeSean Bishop will be a major focus as well.
Alabama is a touchdown favorite over the Vols, but in a rivalry game like this that's not going to matter. Tennessee will do everything possible to send those who make their way to Neyland Stadium home happy after the final whistle. Should that happen, the Vols will shake up the SEC rankings, with a spot in the Top 5 all but guaranteed for next week. Keep your fingers crossed that ends up happening.
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