COMMENTARY: Vols are No. 20 in AP poll: Too high? Too low? Just right?

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A high ranking in the Associated Press preseason poll and $5 will get you a latte at some snooty coffee shop.

In other words, it doesn’t mean much.

Tennessee landed at No. 20 despite not having a quarterback with any experience, losing a big-time pass rusher before he ever stepped on the field and taking a significant hit in depth at safety. 

Somebody must know something — or they’re just spitting in the wind sure that Josh Heupel is bound to figure it all out before the fur starts flying.

The first seven teams in the poll are the usual suspects — Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame, Texas, Indiana and Miami.

I don’t have a problem with any of those from the get-go. I’ll have a better opinion when the Longhorns and the Buckeyes meet in Week 2. Notre Dame doesn’t play anyone of consequence until Nov. 7, when it entertains the Hurricanes. So, bet on the Irish to be at least No. 2 through October.

Defending national champion Indiana, like last year, has a pitiful schedule schedule — North Texas, Howard, Western Kentucky, Northwestern, Rutgers and Nebraska — until it hosts Ohio State Oct. 17.

After that first seven, the Southeastern Conference has a litany of teams that I’m not buying. Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Oklahoma and LSU are 8 through 11. The Aggies sputtered at the end of last season and Ole Miss and LSU are bound to have to get through the hangover from the Lane Kiffin soap opera. One of those four is going to struggle mightily.

Bet on it. Texas Tech likely going to feel the impact of losing big-money quarterback transfer Brendan Sorsby, when his gambling problem became public knowledge.

And then there’s ‘Bama. The Crimson Tide isn’t used to being ranked No. 13 in a preseason poll. Alabama is still in the market for a quarterback, running the same type of preseason camp competition as Tennessee. How that plays out once live bullets start flying will be interesting to see.

When the Crimson Tide visits Neyland Stadium, it will be the week after it plays Georgia. Give me the Vols in that meeting.

Why is Penn State, coming in with a new coaching staff and coming off a complete disaster, ranked ahead of Tennessee at No. 18? That’s something I’ve been wrestling with for the past few days.

As for the Vols at No. 20: If Missouri is No. 25 and Louisville is No. 24, the Vols are where they belong. 

Tennessee’s early critical game will be Georgia Tech in Week 2. The Yellowjackets didn’t get much respect, garnering four points and barely making the “Others Receiving Votes” category. Win that game, go into Texas at 3-0, and let the poll take care of itself.

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