Tennessee climbed significantly in the AP and Coaches’ Polls following the Vols’ 24-17 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The Vols jumped ahead 4 spots to No. 7 in the AP Poll, after being ranked No. 11 heading into Tennessee’s matchup with the Crimson Tide. Alabama dropped all the way from No. 7 to No. 15 after the 24-17 loss in Neyland Stadium on Saturday night. The only two SEC schools with a higher ranking than the Vols are Texas, which dropped four spots to No. 5, and Georgia, which gained three spots to land at No. 2 behind Oregon at No. 1. The Vols also edged ahead of LSU which remained at No. 8.
The Coaches’ Poll also had some dramatic shifts as Texas dropped five spots to No. 6 and Georgia inched up to No. 2. The Vols climbed up two rungs to No. 7 in the updated Coaches’ Poll. Alabama plummeted eight spots to No. 15 in both polls.
While, in the end, it is up to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee to decide who plays in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, Tennessee seems to be headed in the right direction. The selection committee will announce its first of six rankings on November 5th.
