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Why Tennessee football won’t ‘break’ at Oklahoma, even if Vols lose

Tennessee football roars, and its ticket prices soar.

First up, the roaring.

No. 7 Tennessee (3-0) will play a pivotal game at No. 13 Oklahoma (3-0) on Saturday in the Sooners’ first SEC game, while Josh Heupel returns to Norman after his celebrated Sooners career.

On this edition of “The Volunteer State,” Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel’s Adam Sparks and John Adams examine the Vols’ clash with Oklahoma.

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Later in the episode, the hosts examine why Tennessee will raise ticket prices next year, as a way to offset expected revenue-sharing costs that are around the corner.

Is this a make-or-break game for Tennessee Vols’ playoff hopes?

Sparks: It can be a ‘make,’ but not a ‘break.’

If the Vols win, the rest of their schedule sets up nicely. They’ll face Alabama and Georgia, but they could lose to both, finish 10-2 and qualify for the College Football Playoff – if they beat OU.

And who’s to say they’ll lose to both Alabama and Georgia?

That’s why a loss wouldn’t ‘break’ Tennessee. A loss would narrow the path to the playoff, but Tennessee could still split with Alabama and Georgia and punch its ticket.

Adams: If Tennessee beats Oklahoma, I’m not just going to be thinking playoff. I’ll be thinking this team could reach Atlanta for the SEC Championship game. And I’m not ruling the Vols out of the playoff with a loss to OU, either. Entering the season, I’d pegged Tennessee at 10-2, with losses to Oklahoma and Georgia and a victory against Alabama. I’ve upped my projection to 11-1. That includes a win in Norman.

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-tennessee-football-wont-break-100531600.html

Author : Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Publish date : 2024-09-19 10:05:31

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

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