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I’m not here to be an alarmist, but I also won’t ignore warning flags.
And what do those warning markers tell me?
No. 7 Tennessee has work to do to make the College Football Playoff, and it certainly has work to do to host a first-round playoff game.
The Vols (7-1) should be relatively pleased with their spot in the initial CFP rankings. Despite a loss at Arkansas, they ranked ahead of two undefeated teams from Power Four conferences. If the playoff started today, the Vols would host a first-round game.
Not bad, eh?
Not secure, either.
Tennessee ought to be fine Saturday against lowly Mississippi State, but then comes a trip to Georgia.
If the Vols lose to Georgia and finish 10-2, combined with No. 10 Notre Dame winning out and going 11-1, the Irish could pass Tennessee and knock the Vols out of position to host a first-round game.
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Consider: Four conference champions will receive byes into the quarterfinals. Let’s assume Oregon wins the Big Ten. That leaves No. 2 Ohio State, No. 5 Texas and No. 6 Penn State as teams ranked ahead of Tennessee that would be positioned to host in the first round. Then, if Notre Dame passes the Vols, poof, goodbye first-round host status.
OK, fine, but at least a 10-2 Tennessee squad would be assured a playoff spot, right?
Well, about that …
No. 15 LSU will host No. 11 Alabama on Saturday, and No. 16 Ole Miss will host No. 3 Georgia.
Pair LSU and Ole Miss victories with Tennessee losing to Georgia the following week, and the Vols might find themselves in a spot of trouble.
LSU beating Alabama would neutralize the best line on Tennessee’s résumé, and Ole Miss beating Georgia before Tennessee loses to Georgia could…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/tennessee-football-fans-im-not-101535731.html
Author : Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Publish date : 2024-11-08 10:15:35
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