ESPN drops Tennessee five spots in power rankings after OT win over Florida
ESPN dropped Tennessee five spots to No. 14 in its updated power rankings this week, after the Vols needed overtime to beat Florida 23-17 at Neyland Stadium Saturday night. The Gators led 10-0 midway through the third quarter before rallying to take a late lead.
Texas moved to No. 1 in the ranking, ahead of No. 2 Oregon, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 4 Miami and No. 5 Penn State. Georgia dropped to No. 6 and Alabama, Tennessee’s opponent on Saturday at Neyland Stadium, was ranked No. 7.
“Josh Heupel said it more than once Saturday night,” ESPN’s Chris Low wrote. “It hasn’t been perfect for his Vols, especially on offense, but they managed to squeeze past Florida 23-17 in overtime after being held scoreless in the first half for the second straight week.
“They weren’t able to overcome that drought a week ago in a 19-14 loss to Arkansas, but survived at home thanks to a defense that stood its ground in key moments. Florida led 3-0 at the half, but it could have easily been 21-0.”
‘The Vols still have some serious polishing to do’
Tennessee dropped three spots to No. 11 in the Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday and dropped two spots to No. 10 in the Coaches Poll.
Florida forced overtime on a 27-yard touchdown pass with 26 seconds left. Tennessee stopped the Gators for a lost of four yards on their first overtime possession, which ended with a missed field goal from 47 yards.
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Dylan Sampson scored from a yard out on Tennessee’s fifth play in overtime to win the game.
The Vols rushed 43 times as a team for 171 yards and three touchdowns, with Sampson going for 112 yards on 27 carries while scoring all three times on the ground. Nico Iamaleava completed 16 of 26 passes for 169 yards and an interception.
Up Next: No. 11 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Alabama, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Tennessee’s defense carried the Vols for a second straight week.
“The Gators managed just one field goal in four trips inside the 20-yard line in the first half,” Low wrote, “and Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. forced a fumble inside the 1 when he stripped the ball away from quarterback Graham Mertz.”
Tennessee and Alabama are scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time start Saturday on ABC. The Vols then have a second bye week, and end the season with home dates against Kentucky (November 2), Mississippi State (November 9) and UTEP (November 23) and road games at Georgia (November 16) and Vanderbilt (November 30).
“The Vols (5-1, 2-1 SEC) still have some serious polishing to do in their passing game,” Low wrote, “but they are leaning on a defense right now that has yet to give up more than 19 points in all six games this season.”
