College Football Rankings 2016: Week 8 AP Poll winners and losers

Oct 15, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Eddie Jackson (4) celebrates his punt return for a 79yd touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers during the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 15, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Alvin Kamara (6) runs the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Tennessee Volunteers (No. 9 down to No. 18)

I debated whether to make the Volunteers a ‘winner’ on my list or a ‘loser’ strictly because they lost by 39 points, at home, and still managed to remain in the AP Top 25. I mean, come on. Alabama is clearly the best team in college football, but losing 49-10 while being a top-10 team at home is unacceptable.

When you’re in the SEC, blowout losses aren’t judged as harshly, apparently. Tennessee did drop nine spots and there is no chance this team is going to win the conference title. Joshua Dobbs called the Volunteers a ‘team of destiny’ just a couple of weeks ago after a Georgia win on a Hail Mary, but haven’t won since.

Heck, a team that has lost two straight games after a last-second win over a middle-of-the-pack SEC squad and its best win is Florida should be much lower than 18th.

Tennessee has major work to do after being dismantled by Alabama at home, but there are still five games left for the Volunteers to figure something out.

How bad was the loss to Alabama? Well, Tennessee only managed 163 total yards while allowing nearly 600. Almost unreal that the Volunteers are still ranked.

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