SEC Power Rankings: Missouri Making a Move
By Ben Nielsen
Oct 5, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Marquez North (8) catches a pass against Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Amarlo Herrera (52) for a touchdown during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
12. Tennessee Volunteers
Record: 3-3 (0-2)
Previous Ranking: 12
Last Week: Georgia 34, Tennessee 31 (F/OT)
This Week: Bye
Next Week: vs. South Carolina
Missed it by that much.
Tennessee was only a few feet away from pulling off the upset over Georgia, and they would have earned it if they had managed to win the game. The Volunteers racked up 404 total yards, converted three huge fourth downs, and came back from a 14-point deficit to get the game into overtime. Pig Howard’s stretch at the goal-line to try to punch in the touchdown in overtime ended up being a fumble out of the endzone, giving Georgia the ball and eventually the winning field-goal.
Even though Tennesse lost the game they proved to people they can beat good teams at home. Rajion Neal had 148 yards rushing and two touchdowns, Justin Worley managed to not throw the ball to the other team, and the Volunteers defense held Georgia to under 200 yards passing. There are some pieces there to give a team like South Carolina some problems in two weeks.
With the recruiting class Tennessee has coming in and the way Butch Jones has been able to coach things up, the Volunteers are going to be a handful next season, especially in Knoxville.