Vols Continue Poll Climb Into Top 10, Return To Neyland Stadium

Football
September 08, 2024

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….