Tennessee (4-4, 2-3 SEC) had an open date in Week 9.
The Vols will play at Kentucky in Week 10. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and ESPN2 will televise the Southeastern Conference divisional matchup.
Below is the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll following Week 9.
Full USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll:
| Rank | Team | Record | Points | Change |
| 1 | Georgia | 8-0 | 1,600 (64) | – |
| 2 | Cincinnati | 8-0 | 1,460 | – |
| 3 | Alabama | 7-1 | 1,453 | – |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 9-0 | 1,423 | – |
| 5 | Ohio State | 7-1 | 1,336 | – |
| 6 | Michigan State | 8-0 | 1,325 | +1 |
| 7 | Oregon | 7-1 | 1,198 | +1 |
| 8 | Notre Dame | 7-1 | 1,095 | +3 |
| 9 | Wake Forest | 8-0 | 1,051 | +4 |
| 10 | Michigan | 7-1 | 1,050 | -4 |
| 11 | Oklahoma State | 7-1 | 922 | +4 |
| 12 | Texas A&M | 6-2 | 910 | +2 |
| 13 | Baylor | 7-1 | 815 | +5 |
| 14 | Auburn | 6-2 | 802 | +7 |
| 15 | Ole Miss | 6-2 | 680 | -6 |
| 16 | Iowa | 6-2 | 512 | -6 |
| 17 | Kentucky | 6-2 | 497 | -5 |
| 18 | Texas-San Antonio | 8-0 | 401 | +4 |
| 19 | Houston | 7-1 | 349 | +10 |
| 20 | BYU | 7-2 | 310 | +6 |
| 21 | Coastal Carolina | 7-1 | 301 | +3 |
| 22 | NC State | 6-2 | 265 | +3 |
| 23 | Penn State | 5-3 | 215 | -6 |
| 24 | SMU | 7-1 | 192 | -8 |
| 25 | Pittsburgh | 6-2 | 162 | -6 |
Dropped from the rankings:
No. 20 San Diego State; No. 23 Iowa State
Others receiving votes:
UL Lafayette 156; Fresno State 73; San Diego State 65; Arkansas 65; Minnesota 29; Wisconsin 26; Mississippi State 20; Utah 10; Appalachian State 10; Air Force 9; Liberty 4; Iowa State 4; Clemson 4; Arizona State 1.