Latest bowl game prediction for Tennessee Vols after loss to Georgia Bulldogs
The Tennessee Vols' time atop the College Football Playoff rankings was short-lived. Thanks to Tennessee's loss to the Georgia Bulldogs this past weekend, there's virtually no chance the Vols can climb back to the top of the rankings before the end of the season. Georgia would need to lose before the SEC Championship game and […]
The Tennessee Vols' time atop the College Football Playoff rankings was short-lived.
Thanks to Tennessee's loss to the Georgia Bulldogs this past weekend, there's virtually no chance the Vols can climb back to the top of the rankings before the end of the season. Georgia would need to lose before the SEC Championship game and Ohio State/Michigan would both need to lose for Tennessee to have a chance to get back to No. 1 (TCU would also likely need to lose).
Fortunately for the Vols, they can still finish in the top four. And ultimately, that's all that matters. Seeding goes out the door once the playoff games start.
So how likely is it that Tennessee will finish in the top four of the CFP rankings?
Well, some things need to happen (such as TCU losing and maybe Oregon), but the Vols are in good shape.
CBS Sports, in fact, thinks Tennessee will finish the season as the No. 4 team in the CFP rankings.
They have the Vols playing Georgia in a rematch in the Peach Bowl. That game would take place in Atlanta, but it wouldn't necessarily be a home game for the Bulldogs. Tennessee fans will travel in droves to get to a CFP playoff game.
(They have TCU and Ohio State playing in the Fiesta Bowl, the other semi-final game.)
Some help will be necessary for Tennessee to slide into the CFP at 11-1. The most important of those developments is Georgia remaining undefeated, winning SEC at 13-0. Any loss for the Dawgs will push them down the rankings, and they are now a ceiling for how high the Vols can finish.
Another important factor for Tennessee is Alabama, which must remain as strong as possible given it is the Vols' best win. That presence took a hit Saturday night as the Crimson Tide lost at LSU, 32-31 in overtime. Alabama now sits 7-2 on the season and third place in the SEC West behind LSU and Ole Miss. The Tide play the Rebels next week with a chance to claim second place.
Tennessee will also need help from other conferences. Ideally, the SEC would produce the only undefeated team in Georgia. It could still work out for the Vols if there are two or even three unbeaten teams; however, there has never been an unbeaten Power Five team left out of the College Football Playoff.
Tennessee isn't locked into a CFP spot by any means. But if they win out and finish 11-1, they should get it. The biggest obstacle will likely be TCU or Oregon.
One scenario that could cause some major issues for the Vols would be Ole Miss winning out in the regular season and beating Georgia in the SEC Championship game (LSU would need to lose another game for this scenario to happen). That particular scenario would be disastrous for the Vols as it would lead to Georgia and Ole Miss making the playoff.
Featured image via Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
