Tennessee moves into top five of ESPN College Football Power Rankings
Tennessee Football moved up seven spots to No. 5 in ESPN’s updated college football power rankings after the 51-10 win over North Carolina State Saturday night in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
The Vols (2-0), who moved up to No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 and No. 9 in the Coaches Poll on Sunday, host Kent State (0-2) Saturday night (7:45 Eastern Time, SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium.
ESPN’s power rankings have Georgia at No. 1 ahead of Texas, Ohio State and Ole Miss.
Vols averaging 60.0 points per game through two games
“It was close, then it wasn’t,” ESPN’s Bill Connelly of Tennessee’s win over NC State. “With under four minutes remaining in the first half of the Duke’s Mayo Classic in Charlotte, the Volunteers led NC State 10-3, and the Wolfpack were driving. But Tennessee defensive back Will Brooks’ 85-yard pick-six opened the flood gates.
“The Volunteers cruised to a 51-10 blowout win as quarterback Nico Iamaleava threw for 211 yards and two scores and rushed for 65 yards and another touchdown. He threw two interceptions, but they were just about the only stops the NC State defense made all evening.”
Tennessee through two games is averaging 60.0 points per game while giving up just 6.5, after beating Chattanooga 69-3 on August 31 then romping 51-10 against NC State.
The Vols had recovered two fumbles and forced three against NC State, to go with the game-changing interception from Brooks. They had three sacks and 13 tackles for loss, too.
“The Wolfpack offense … gained just 143 yards, 27 in the second half,” Connelly wrote. “Tennessee had more tackles for loss (13) than it allowed first downs (10).”
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ESPN gives Tennessee 66% chance to make College Football Playoff
Tennessee is also No. 5 in ESPN’s Football Power Index. The FPI has a win-loss projection of 9.8-2.4 for the Vols. It gives Tennessee a 99.9% chance to win at least six games and a 65.3% chance to make the 12-team College Football Playoff.
ESPN’s Playoff Predictor gives Tennessee the fifth-highest odds to make the College Football Playoff at 66%. Texas tops the list at 91%, ahead of Ohio State (84%), Georgia (83%) and Alabama (79%).
After hosting Kent State, the Vols go on the road twice to start SEC play, going to Oklahoma on September 21 and Arkansas on October 5, with a bye week on September 29.
Oklahoma is ranked No. 15 in the FPI, dropping six spots after the 16-12 win over Houston Saturday night in Norman.
“Few teams have looked the part of an elite team in both Weeks 1 and 2,” Connelly wrote, “but the Vols have been one of them. And it started with Brooks’ big play.”
