Tennessee Moves Up in AP Rankings As Georgia Slides Down

Tennessee rose up the AP rankings on Sunday afternoon despite having a bye week this past weekend.

Georgia dropped three spots from No. 2 to No. 5 after this loss to Alabama on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, thus opening up a spot for Tennessee to fill.

Tennessee lands at No. 4 in the Week 6 AP rankings as the Vols prepare to take on Arkansas this weekend in Fayetteville, AR. The Vols also land at No. 4 in the US LMB Coaches Poll after Georgia’s slide.

Alabama is the new No. 1 in the nation after their 41-34 win over Georgia on Saturday. The Tide’s win moved Texas down to No. 2 as Ohio State remained at No. 3.

Tennessee Football AP/Coaches Rankings

• Week 1: #15/#15 (Result: Defeated Chattanooga 69-3)
• Week 2: #14/#12 (Result: Defeated #24/#23 NC State 51-10)
• Week 3: #7/#9 (Result: Defeated Kent State 71-0)
• Week 4: #6/#7 (Up Next: at #15/#13 Oklahoma)
• Week 5: #5/#6 (Result: BYE)
• Week 6: #4/#4 (Up Next: at Arkansas)

More from RTI: Tennessee Football Opens As Two Score Favorites At Arkansas

Tennessee’s rise through the AP rankings has been remarkable through the first six weeks of the season. The Volunteers started at No. 15 as an unproven but optimistic team to start the season. With an elite defense and an exciting offense, combined with a pair of Top 25 wins in their first four games, Tennessee has been skyrocketing up the rankings.

While the past few weeks have featured an SEC party in the Top 10, that’s not so much the case anymore.

The SEC still has four teams in the Top 5 but only has five total in the Top 10. Ole Miss’s loss to Kentucky on Saturday afternoon in Oxford sent the Rebels tumbling from No. 6 to No. 12 while Missouri rounds out the SEC’s five in the Top 10 after moving up to No. 9 in the rankings.

Here’s a look at the AP Week 6 Top 10 released on Sunday afternoon:

1. Alabama (4-0)
2. Texas (5-0)
3. Ohio State (4-0)
4. Tennessee (4-0)
5. Georgia (3-1)
6. Oregon (4-0)
7. Penn State (4-0)
8. Miami FL (5-0)
9. Missouri (4-0)
10. Michigan (4-1)

More from RTI: Ole Miss Called Out For ‘Blatant Fake Injury’ in Loss to Kentucky

Tennessee had their first of two open dates this past weekend but is set to hit the road once again to continue SEC play. The Vols will take on Arkansas on Saturday night in Fayetteville as Tennessee looks to continue their undefeated start to the season with playoff hopes squarely in mind.

There are still two games to be played between now and the Third Saturday in October, but all signs are pointing to a potential 1-vs-4 or 1-vs-3 matchup between Tennessee and Alabama in Knoxville on October 19. Tennessee will take on Arkansas and Florida before Alabama while the Tide will play Vanderbilt and South Carolina.

Ohio State, though, will take on Iowa and Oregon in the next two weeks. If Tennessee and Alabama win their games while the Buckeyes slip up against Oregon, it’ll likely be 1-vs-3 in Knoxville. If the Buckeyes defeat Oregon, you’re likely looking at 1-vs-4 for the game.

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To see the full Week 6 AP Rankings, click here.