Ole Miss vs Tennessee, very similar teams, except:
Only 1 of the 2 lost to a G5 team last year.
Only 1 of the 2 lost a ton of talent to the NFL last year.
2016 SEC POWER RANKINGS: 3 teams in the West look better than Tennessee right now - SBNation.com
Tier 1
1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Ole Miss
Tier 2
4. Tennessee
5. Georgia
6. Arkansas
7. Mississippi State
8. Texas A&M
9. Florida
10. Auburn
Last year's Bama team was 5 points better than us. Team 120 IMO is pretty much that same team with improvements and experience. I do not see the 2016 Tide taking the field at their opener better than last year's NC group. Will they be as good or better on the 3rd weekend in October? That's why you play the game, I think we beat 'em.I'm not comfortable saying that.
I'm not sure any team in the nation is BETTER than Tennessee right now. I think Bama is certainly as good as us, and may have a slight edge especially toward the end of the game with their incredibly talented depth. But we're talking small measurements.
Same in reverse for LSU; I think we may be a smidge better, but it'd be very close. Our advantage against Ole Miss is a bit bigger, but still close enough that either team could win on the field on any given Saturday.
Bottom line is, there's too much variance in EVERY team from week to week to say X is better than Y when all the teams being considered are this close in talent and coaching. Is why it has to be played out on the field.
Go Vols!
Call me crazy but I think Ole Miss is winning the West. The teams with the craziest offseason will meet in ATL.