Georgia Bulldogs: SEC East Power Rankings, Week 7

Oct 10, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) is sacked by Florida Gators defensive lineman Joey Ivie (91) during the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Drew Lock Era in Columbia is two weeks under way for the Missouri Tigers. While the true freshman from Lee’s Summit, MO got it down versus USC in the Battle of Columbia in Week 5, Lock locked like a freshman against the aggressive Florida Gators defense in Week 6. Mizzou is entering a must-win game in Week 7 when the Tigers travel to Athens to face the Georgia Bulldogs.

Mizzou cannot afford to start the year at 1-3 in SEC play should they want to three-peat in the East, especially if they lose the tiebreaker to UGA. They have already lost it to Florida and Kentucky. This team could go either way, but their ceiling is probably 8 wins.

There is a fair chance that Mizzou may only win one more game this year (@Vanderbilt). Even that doesn’t seem like a sure thing anymore. The Tigers are in absolute survival mode with a sputtering offense. Not a good place for HC Gary Pinkel in 2015. Missouri will travel to Athens to face the Georgia Bulldogs for a 7:30 PM ET kickoff on the SEC Network.

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Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Todd Kelly Jr. (6) breaks up a pass intended for Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (26) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The Butch Jones Era in Knoxville survives another week, after beating the Georgia Bulldogs 38-31 at home in Week 6. UT’s offense came to life to overcome a 24-3 deficit to the Dawgs to beat UGA for the first time in six years.

Unfortunately, the Vols are not winning their next game, as Rocky Top ventures to Tuscaloosa for a rivalry game Week 8. After seeing both Tennessee and Alabama in consecutive weeks, U of A will have their way with UT in this one. The bye for Rocky Top won’t matter.

I’m confident that the Volunteers will win at least three more games in 2015 to get to their second consecutive bowl game. Their ceiling is looking like a set 7-5. Tennessee will enter their bye week at 3-3 (1-2).

Next: SEC East Contenders