While the Magnolia state has produced two of the best teams in college football, its neighbor to the north has seen less success. Both SEC teams from the state of Tennessee have struggled this season, with Vanderbilt (2-5) ranking last in the conference and Tennessee (3-3) at No. 13 in the Saturday Down South power rankings.

Related: SEC Power Rankings: Week 7

While both teams have seen a lack of success, Tennessee’s fan base seems to be in less of a panic mode. The Vols are still in a rebuilding process in head coach Butch Jones’ second season. The optimism in Jones’ “brick by brick” plan to restore Tennessee’s glory remains high as the team looks improved in several areas, despite a disappointing record.

Quarterback Justin Worley is putting up career numbers in his senior season. The Vols are improved at the skill positions, with the arrival of blue chip freshman and development of sophomore and junior wide receivers. Tennessee has also seen improvement on defense, holding opponents to a 26 percent third down efficiency.

With a roster that has seen 21 freshman receive playing time, Tennessee lacks depth at several positions. In its Week 5 loss at Georgia, the Vols’ lack of depth at quarterback was its ultimate downfall. Justin Worley enjoyed a solid performance, before missing several possessions late in the game due to an elbow injury. Redshirt sophomore Nathan Peterman– who had five previous career appearances– struggled to produce any offense in Worley’s absence, while the Bulldogs extending their lead.

Tennessee’s biggest flaw is in the trenches. The Vols returned zero starters on their offensive line, which has been evident in a lack of protection for quarterback Justin Worley. Tennessee has allowed 23 sacks and 34 QB hurries through six games this season. This has led the offense to struggle at capitalizing on scoring drives.

For Vanderbilt, the problem is more difficult to identify. The Commodores are struggling at several positions, but quarterback is the most glaring. Vanderbilt has played all four quarterbacks this season, including Wade Freebeck, who burned a redshirt starting against Massachusetts. Like Tennessee, Vanderbilt has young talent at several positions, but not enough depth to contend.

Unlike the Vols, Vanderbilt has looked outmatched against SEC competition. Even in winning efforts against smaller programs, the Commodores left little optimism and looked like an overmatched team. Vanderbilt has seen success from several redshirt freshmen, including tailback Ralph Webb, wide receiver C.J. Duncan and linebacker Nigel Bowden. However, the rest of the team hasn’t developed as fast as the aforementioned players and the Commodores have struggled.

Vanderbilt saw its most successful run in the modern era under former head coach James Franklin. While the Vols faced a tailspin in recent years, the Commodores made three bowl games and enjoyed back-to-back nine-win seasons. However, with the departures of all-time leading receiver Jordan Matthews, quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels and several other key players, Vanderbilt is looking more like the team Franklin inherited, rather than the winning program he left for Penn State this offseason.

Both teams have hope moving forward with talented, young nucleuses early in their rebuilding processes. However, this season has shown growing pains for both programs. Tennessee needs its line to develop in order to make its first bowl game appearance in four years. Vanderbilt seems like a lost cause for the postseason this year, but could make improvements moving forward.

Both programs have potential to improve for the long term. The Volunteers expect another top-5 recruiting class and should develop the young talent they already have. Vanderbilt has several players that have made an early impact and could bring in some big recruits with Derek Mason having a full year on the recruiting trail. Neither program seems to be a contender right now, but there is hope moving forward in the Volunteer state.