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College Football Rankings 2016: Week 2 AP Poll winners and losers

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players celebrate defeating the LSU Tigers by doing the Lambeau Leap following the game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players celebrate defeating the LSU Tigers by doing the Lambeau Leap following the game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Appalachian State Mountaineers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won in overtime 20 to 13. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Appalachian State Mountaineers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won in overtime 20 to 13. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser 2: Tennessee Volunteers (No. 9 to No. 17)

Could you imagine the headlines if Tennessee had lost to Appalachian State on their home turf to begin the 2016 season? Even crazier, the Volunteers’ offensive coordinator, Mike DeBord, was Michigan’s assistant coach back in 2007, when the then-FCS Mountaineers came into the Big House and upset the No. 5 Wolverines.

Luckily for Tennessee, though, Appalachian State ran out of gas in overtime and got some lucky bounces to go their way (just ask Joshua Dobbs).

Tennessee snuck away with an ugly 20-13 victory after trailing for most of the game. In fact, Tennessee trailed after each quarter except the fourth, winning in overtime with a crazy fumble recovery for a touchdown.

The Volunteers are big losers this week, however, falling from No. 9 to 17th in the Week 2 AP Poll. Not often do you see a team win in overtime to begin the season and drop eight spots, but when a team like Tennessee struggles to put away a Sun Belt opponent at home, that’s not a great sign.

Dobbs and Co. need to get their act together moving forward to avoid future upset bids.

Next: Texas Longhorns

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