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Tennessee fans aren’t happy with the team’s ranking in the preseason coaches’ poll. More specifically, they’re upset with the team sitting one spot ahead of them in the standings.
Vols supporters have taken to social media to voice those frustrations. They feel somewhat disrespected despite holding a top 10 ranking.
Tennessee had a breakout season in 2022, winning 11 games and capping the year with a statement win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl. It was one of a number of impressive wins by the program in a fantastic campaign.
The Vols beat Alabama for the first time since 2006, resulting in the crowd ripping out the goalposts at Neyland Stadium and swiftly depositing them in the Tennessee River.
The celebration continued into Sunday service as fans belted out “Rocky Top” from their church pews.
That success continued throughout the year as they’d also take down rival Florida and SEC West champ LSU en route to their best season in two decades.
Despite losing their top passer and receiver from that magical ’22 season, expectations remain high in Knoxville. Quarterback Joe Milton is looking to replicate the success that Hendon Hooker had under center in his Heisman-worthy campaign.
Viewers got a brief look at what Milton can do last year after taking over for Hooker following an ACL injury in a loss to South Carolina. In his two starts, he took down Vanderbilt and those previously mentioned Clemson Tigers.
After finishing the season with a perfect 10-to-0 touchdown to interception ratio, many are pegging Milton to be the next Tennessee star. NCAA coaches have taken note of the talent returning to UT in 2023.
They gave Tennessee a No. 10 ranking ahead of the season opener. Fans were excited about the top 10 standing, but many seemed more interested in who was ranked No. 9.
Clemson slid in one spot ahead of the Vols despite that 17-point Orange Bowl win from just a couple months back. The Tigers finished the year 11-3 with additional losses to Notre Dame and South Carolina.
Still, they secured an ACC title and return end-of-year starter Cade Klubnik under center.
While the preseason poll will have little effect on the outcome of the year, Tennessee fans believe they should’ve been slotted one spot higher.
Hey guys Clemson just lost to Tennessee by 17 in January but let’s put them a spot ahead. https://t.co/9Dqojn6EKW
— Barstool Rocky Top (@BarstoolTenn) August 7, 2023
“Ranking Clemson one spot ahead of Tennessee in the preseason poll is certainly a decision,” Wes Rucker of 24/7 Sports wrote.
Ranking Clemson one spot ahead of Tennessee in the preseason poll is certainly a decision.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) August 7, 2023
This fan noted both the head-to-head victory and the talent lost from Clemson to the draft, though he conveniently left off the fact that the Vols lost their two top players.
So, Clemson comes in at No. 9 in the coaches poll, one spot ahead of Tennessee
Despite losing their two most productive defensive linemen to the NFL Draft, starting a ? at QB, and losing 2 of their final 3 games last year.
And Tennessee beat this same squad in December.
— Evan Crowell (@evanvcrowell) August 7, 2023
In the end, the rankings will have little impact on either Clemson or Tennessee’s seasons. They’ve done their job in getting fans riled up though, as everyone waits in anticipation for the opening weekend.