It would be very difficult for the Vols to drop when EVERY team from 16 to 24 in both polls lost their last game. And I don't think Florida (7-4) which was 25 in the AP poll and Tennessee beat this year would jump another SEC team with a 9-2 record.
The computers don't factor in margin of victory... so that results from the Vanderbilt and Kentucky games factor the same as a blowout victory.
:question: Of the Tennessee teams with only 2 losses in the regular season since the inception of the AP poll in 1936.... and at least 9 wins.... this year's 9-2 team is the lowest ranked.
Tennessee teams with only 2 losses during the regular season w/ AP Rank:
2004...15
2003... 6
1999... 6
1996... 9
1991...10
1990...10
1972...11
1971...9
1960...19
1949...17
1941...18
1936...17
note: regular season record in ( ).
The first ever AP poll was conducted in 1936. The Vols (6-2-2) had losses to unranked teams North Carolina and Auburn.... and ties to unranked teams Alabama and Mississippi. The Neyland coached Vols did beat 2nd Duke, 15-13.
The 1941 squad (8-2) lost to 2 unranked teams (Duke and Alabama), but defeated 18th Boston College and 12th Vanderbilt.
The 1949 team (7-2-1) lost to unranked Duke and unranked Ga Tech as well as a tie with unranked Alabama. The Vols did beat 13th North Carolina and 11th Kentucky.
In 1960, the Vols (6-2-2) tied 2 games to unranked Miss State and unranked Kentucky as well as having 2 losses. The 2 losses were back-to-back losses to unranked Ga Tech and 4th Mississippi. The Vols did beat 15th Alabama, 20-7.
The 1971 team (9-2) lost to 5th Auburn and 4th Alabama... but defeated 5th Penn State.
1972 team (9-2) lost to unranked Auburn and 3rd Alabama and beat 10th Penn State.
The '90 squad (8-2-2) tied eventual national champion Colorado (5th) and 3rd Auburn.... losses were to unranked Alabama and 1st Notre Dame. The Vols beat 9th Florida and 15th Mississippi.
In 1991, Tennessee (9-2) lost to 10th Florida and 14th Alabama in back-to-back games. The Vols also beat 21st UCLA, 23rd Miss State, 13th Auburn, and 5th Notre Dame.
In 1996, Tennessee (9-2) lost to 4th Florida and unranked Memphis.... and beat only 12th Alabama.
In 1999, Tennessee (9-2) lost to 4th Florida and unranked Arkansas... beat 10th Georgia and 10th Alabama... as well as 24th Notre Dame.
In 2003, Tennessee (10-2) lost to unranked Auburn and 8th Georgia in back-to-back weeks... beat 17th Florida and 6th Miami.
Now.... in 2004, Tennessee (9-2) has lost to 8th Auburn and unranked Notre Dame but has beaten 11th Florida and 3rd Georgia.
