Tennessee took a huge step toward being the #1 seed going into the SCRC playoffs with a 41-25 defeat of previously unbeaten Clemson.

The Clemson Tigers brought plenty of intensity to a massively physical game, and in fact led at halftime. But UT used the wind smartly in the second half and built a lead that Clemson couldn't overcome. As a result, while Clemson and Kentucky (who beat South Carolina on Saturday) lead the conference with 3-1 records, Tennessee, at 3-0, is in much better position to finish the regular season on top.

The Vols have three games left—Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia. They are favored in all of those clashes, although none of those games will be especially easy. 

As for Saturday, "it was a heck of a game," said Tennessee Head Coach Marty Bradley. "Both teams are going to have a little bit of a limp tomorrow."

Down 15-12 at halftime, Tennessee wasn't worried. They knew they would have the breeze at their backs, and they could use that. 

"We had a little bit of a wind in our favor and we handle field position pretty good," Bradley said. "Then we were able to put pressure on them and get scoring opportunities out of that. It was a really physical game and you know, in a game like that the first or second tackle is fine, but by the 20th tackle it gets real tough."

Lock Greg Janowick was immense in the contest, punishing defenders with his runs in tight and putting Clemson ballcarriers down on the ground with alacrity. Luke Davies, who had been moved from flyhalf to scrumhalf, was very effective running the attack and controlling field position in the #9 jersey.

As stated above, Kentucky also won, beating South Carolina 22-5.

"I was disappointed with our inability to execute our game plan," said Kentucky Head Coach gary Anderson. "It was a step back from the previous two week. It is often difficult to get a lot of teaching moments and promote change after a win. Fortunately I think the guys recognized their flaws and will have plenty to work on before Kennesaw in two weeks."

Georgia beat Alabama on the road. What that sets up, then, is a likely scenario where Tennessee is #1 (if games go to form), Georgia will be #4 (since, in part, next week's game against Kennesaw State will likely be a forfeit win for the Bulldogs), and Kentucky will play Clemson on November 6 to decide who is 2nd and who is 3rd, only for them to play again in the semis right after that.

Here are the updated standings.