Tennessee rises, Alabama falls in ESPN’s updated power rankings after Week 2
Published:
Tennessee and Alabama were 2 of the biggest movers in this week’s power rankings from ESPN — but in opposite directions.
After each week of games, ESPN’s college football experts drop an updated set of power rankings. After Week 2, there were some notable risers and fallers.
Illinois, Memphis, Iowa State, Nebraska, and Louisville all appear in these rankings after previously being unranked. Meanwhile, Michigan and Notre Dame have fallen several spots after disappointing Week 2 performances.
The SEC also had several teams move up and down. Notably, Alabama fell from No. 4 to No. 7 after struggling against South Florida. The Crimson Tide struggled against the Bulls, carrying just a 14-13 lead into the 4th quarter.
Eventually, the Tide did pull away and escape with a 42-16 victory, but the ESPN experts weren’t impressed.
Here’s an excerpt from ESPN writer Chris Low’s analysis on Alabama’s win over South Florida:
On a night the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium was renamed in longtime coach Nick Saban’s honor, it was anything but smooth sailing for the Crimson Tide. They were clinging to a 21-16 lead over South Florida with just under seven minutes to play in what was a penalty fest on both sides (24 penalties between the teams) but were able to break the game open thanks to three explosive scoring plays in the final six minutes. The final score of 42-16 was deceiving.
The Tennessee Volunteers, meanwhile, are a team rose significantly this week. The Vols moved up to No. 5 after previously being No. 12. The Vols dismantled NC State 51-10, notching a quality early-season victory.
Regarding the Vols in Week 2, here’s an excerpt from what ESPN’s Bill Connelly wrote:
It was close, then it wasn’t. 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.
Georgia and Texas earned the top 2 spots in the rankings this week. A total of 8 SEC teams cracked the top 25 this week from ESPN — the same as the Week 3 AP Poll that was released on Sunday.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
