It feels like we've gone through every single possible scenario that could keep the Tennessee Vols out of the playoff.

TCU winning out and then USC winning the Pac-12 with one loss is the scenario that seems the scariest to Vols fans right now.

I think Tennessee is better than both of those teams. But the committee likes to reward conference champions so it's not unrealistic to suggest that a one-loss USC will get in over a one-loss Tennessee.

If USC loses to UCLA or Notre Dame (or if TCU loses a game), then the Vols should be safely in the playoff (as long as they win out against South Carolina and Vanderbilt).

Another scenario that could cause problems for Tennessee would be LSU beating Georgia in the SEC Championship game.

LSU would have two losses (including a 40-13 loss to the Vols in Baton Rouge), but would they get in over Tennessee if they're the SEC champions?

Some analysts are leaning that way.

History, however, says the Tigers shouldn't get in.

In 2016, Penn State won the Big 10 with two losses.

But they didn't make the playoff.

Instead, Ohio State, which also had one loss, made it into the playoff (along with Alabama, Clemson, and Washington).

Penn State had two losses, but they won the Big 10, beat No. 2 Ohio State, and beat No. 6 Wisconsin.

Their losses, by the way, weren't bad. The Nittany Lions lost to a 10-win Michigan team and an 8-win Pittsburgh team (Pitt also beat Clemson that season….the Tigers went on to win the national championship).

I'm sure the first argument here is Big 10 vs SEC. In most years, I get it. But in 2016, the Big 10 was pretty good.

The Big 10 had four teams finish in the top 10 in 2016. The SEC had one team (Alabama).

So the conference was strong enough. And Penn State had quality wins. But they didn't get in.

If Penn State was left out in 2016 with two losses after winning a tough conference, then LSU should be left out in 2022 even if they beat Georgia.

And if Ohio State got into the playoff in 2016 with one loss (to a non-playoff team) and without playing in their conference championship, then Tennessee should certainly get in this season (especially since their loss is to a team that will be in the playoff).

The precedent has been set. LSU should be eliminated already no matter what. And Tennessee, if they win out, should be in (just like Ohio State in 2016 or Alabama the next season after the Crimson Tide didn't win the SEC West).

If the committee wants the four best teams in the nation in the playoff, then Tennessee, without a doubt, has to be included.

Featured image via Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports