Where Tennessee Vols fall in ESPN's unique ranking system

The Tennessee Vols are 3-0 for the first time since 2016 and they're the No. 11 ranked team in the nation (their highest ranking since reaching No. 9 in 2016). As you can imagine, the hype for the Vols is starting to build. But is it too much, too soon? Is Tennessee really as good […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Tennessee Vols

The Tennessee Vols are 3-0 for the first time since 2016 and they're the No. 11 ranked team in the nation (their highest ranking since reaching No. 9 in 2016).

As you can imagine, the hype for the Vols is starting to build.

But is it too much, too soon? Is Tennessee really as good as folks think? Should they be ranked No. 11 in the nation?

It's a fair question — the Vols still have a lot to prove.

But the metrics suggest Tennessee should actually be ranked higher than No. 11.

ESPN's SP+ rankings, a system created by Bill Connelly that uses various metrics, have Tennessee as the No. 8 team in the nation.

Here's a refresher on how the rankings are calculated:

What is SP+? In a single sentence, it's a tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency. I created the system at Football Outsiders in 2008, and as my experience with both college football and its stats has grown, I have made quite a few tweaks to the system.

Tennessee tight end Hunter Salmon (89) leaps over Akron cornerback Tyson Durant (28) on a run during a game between Tennessee and Akron at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Kns Utvakron0917
Tennessee tight end Hunter Salmon (89) leaps over Akron cornerback Tyson Durant (28) on a run during a game between Tennessee and Akron at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.Kns Utvakron0917

Here's their top 10:

  1. Georgia
  2. Alabama
  3. Ohio State
  4. Oklahoma
  5. Michigan
  6. Ole Miss
  7. Clemson
  8. Tennessee
  9. Penn State
  10. Kentucky

Connelly himself has said he's surprised at how high Tennessee is in his rankings.

These rankings, however, are as objective as it gets.

The Vols still have to show they can beat the teams they should (like Florida this weekend). But for now, the math says the Vols are the No. 8 team in the nation.

And who are we to argue with math?

Featured image via Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

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