SEC Power Rankings: Georgia Loss, Ole Miss Win Shakes Up Top Nine
By Ben Nielsen
Aug 31, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Pig Howard (2) celebrates a touchdown catch against the Austin Peay Governors with running back Marlin Lane (15) at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
10. Tennessee Volunteers
Record: 1-0
Previous Ranking: 10 (Trend: — )
Last Week: Tennessee 45, Austin Peay 0
This Week: vs. Western Kentucky
Next Week: at Oregon
Butch Jones continued the debut train with a win of his own. Tennessee hammered Austin Peay on the strength 315 rushing yards. Rejion Neal accounted for 141 of those yards on just 16 carries. Justin Worley was very efficient in taking over for Tyler Bray by completing 11-of-13 passes for 104 yards and three touchdowns.
The Volunteers defense held Austin Peay to only 211 total yards of offense, and picked off AP quarterbacks twice. Tennessee also held AP to only 2.9 yards rushing per carry. It was about as dominate of a performance as the 45-0 score would suggest.
Tennessee should be slightly concerned about Petrino and Western Kentucky coming town. WKU’s win over Kentucky did happen and Petrino has had success in the SEC. Tennessee is a significantly better WKU and Kentucky so it should be a win for them, but the issue is in doubt moreso than it was against Austin Peay.
A win Saturday would also be useful as Tennessee travels to #3 Oregon next week.