KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football heads into its third week and a return to Neyland Stadium ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 and No. 9 in the AFCA Coaches poll released on Sunday.
The Vols climbed more than any team in the AP poll, leaping seven spots from No. 14. Tennessee (2-0) jumped three places to No. 9 in the Coaches poll. Six of the top seven teams in the country hail from the SEC.
Tennessee has been ranked for 33 consecutive weeks in the Coaches poll. That is the Vols’ longest streak since being ranked 34 straight weeks from 2003-05. The current run dates back to Sept. 11, 2022.
Led by a dominant rushing attack and a stout defensive effort, Tennessee throttled then-No. 24 NC State, 51-10, on Saturday night in Charlotte. The Wolfpack managed only 143 total offensive yards and were 3-of-12 on third down. The 143 yards were the fewest allowed by the Vols against an AP ranked opponent since No. 11 Auburn had 110 on Sept. 29, 1973.
Tennessee’s defense stretched its quarter streak without allowing a defensive touchdown to 12. The Vols have not allowed a defensive touchdown in three straight games for the first time since 1985. That year, Georgia Tech had six points on Oct. 26 (two field goals), Rutgers was shutout on Nov. 2 and Memphis managed seven points (blocked punt return for a touchdown) on Nov. 9.
Neyland Stadium is sold out for a 14th straight game next Saturday. The Vols take on Kent State for the first time on the gridiron. Kickoff is 7:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
Associated Press Top 25 (Sept. 8)
1. Georgia (54)
2. Texas (4)
3. Ohio State (5)
4. Alabama
5. Ole Miss
6. Missouri
7. Tennessee
8. Penn State
9. Oregon
10. Miami
11. USC
12. Utah
13. Oklahoma State
14. Kansas State
15. Oklahoma
16. LSU
17. Michigan
18. Notre Dame
19. Louisville
20. Arizona
21. Iowa State
22. Clemson
23. Nebraska
24. Boston College
25. Northern Illinois
AFCA Coaches Poll (Sept. 8)
1. Georgia (50)
2. Ohio State (3)
3. Texas (1)
4. Alabama
5. Ole Miss
6. Oregon
7. Penn State
8. Missouri
9. Tennessee
10. Utah
11. USC
12. Miami
13. Oklahoma
14. Oklahoma State
15. Kansas State
16. Michigan
17. LSU
18. Arizona
19. Notre Dame
20. Clemson
21. Louisville
22. Washington
23. Iowa State
24. Nebraska
25. Memphis
