The Associated Press College Football rankings certainly underwent turbulence this weekend. Georgia and Ohio State retained their throne as first and second place. However, not much managed to stay the same after that. The SEC dominated the rankings, they currently have six teams on the poll.
Volunteers Moves to No. 3
The Tennessee Volunteers reached their highest ranking since they entered the 2005 season at No. 3. Originally ranked No. 6, Tennessee leaped three spots after a statement win against No. 3 Alabama. The Volunteers have now edged out impressive victories over Florida, LSU and most recently Alabama. Sixth-year quarterback Hendon Hooker has emerged as a Heisman candidate. Hooker threw for 385 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Virginia Tech transfer has thrown 15 touchdowns and just 1 interception this year.
Tennessee football QB Hendon Hooker had a special moment with his mom after the #Vols stunning win over Alabama at Neyland Stadium. #GoVols
Final: https://t.co/CTMfgbRGzc pic.twitter.com/oChWvrUUdM
— GoVolsXtra (@GoVolsXtra) October 16, 2022
Bryce Young’s 455-yard, 2 touchdown effort just wasn’t enough to top the Volunteers. Alabama’s early struggles and abundance of penalties was simply too much to come back from.
Cats Over Dawgs
Mississippi State slipped out of the top 10 ten after a tough loss to Kentucky. The Bulldogs could not manage to build off their three-game win streak, only scoring one touchdown after a scoreless first half. Coach Mike Leach has struggled against the Wildcats, the Bulldogs only scored two points in his last trip to Lexington. Despite being ranked No. 8 going into Saturday’s matchup, the Bulldogs fell all the way to No. 16.
The upset victory thrusted the Wildcats into the No. 19 ranking after previously being ranked No. 22. The win comes as a surprise mainly because Wildcats star quarterback Will Levis was hobbled by a toe injury. The Penn-State transfer returned from injury after just one drive to throw for 230 yards and a touchdown.
That's our quarterback! pic.twitter.com/VKJdCUNP7r
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 16, 2022
Pound The Rock
Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels are yet to lose a game. After routing Auburn 48-34, they jumped from No. 9 to No. 7. The Rebels currently have the top rushing offense in the SEC, led by their formidable duo of Quinshon Judkins and Zach Evans. Both average around six yards per carry, Judkins rushed for 139 yards on Saturday while Evans ran for 136. The Rebels nearly tallied 500 yards rushing after quarterback Jaxson Dart had an impressive performance of his own, rushing for 115 yards.
True freshman 3⭐️ RB Quinshon Judkins has now ran for over 100 yards in four of his first seven games.pic.twitter.com/QLvToIV8Eq
— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 15, 2022