ESPN's Football Power Index makes prediction that bodes well for Tennessee Vols' playoff chances
If the Tennessee Vols are going to make the College Football Playoff, they're going to need some help. Tennessee was ranked No. 5 in the latest CFP rankings, one spot behind undefeated TCU and one spot ahead of one-loss Oregon. The Ducks could be a problem for the Vols if they win the Pac-12 with […]
If the Tennessee Vols are going to make the College Football Playoff, they're going to need some help.
Tennessee was ranked No. 5 in the latest CFP rankings, one spot behind undefeated TCU and one spot ahead of one-loss Oregon.
The Ducks could be a problem for the Vols if they win the Pac-12 with just one loss (the same goes for USC and UCLA). It wouldn't be surprising if a one-loss Pac-12 conference champ jumped Tennessee in the rankings.
That's certainly a concern for the Vols. However, the biggest thing that Tennessee needs to happen to make the playoff is for TCU to lose.
If TCU loses and Oregon wins the Pac-12 with one loss, the Vols will very likely make the playoff (along with the Ducks, Georgia, and Ohio State/Michigan winner).
ESPN's College Football Power Index, a math-based prediction model that utilizes 20,000 simulations, has TCU losing their final two road games of the season (at Texas on November 12 and at Baylor on November 19).
The FPI is the most accurate predictor we have for college football, so this certainly bodes well for the Vols' playoff chances.
If TCU loses to Texas, and Tennessee takes care of business against Missouri, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt, I think Vol fans will be able to exhale and start making plans for late December to head to either Atlanta or Glendale for a playoff game.
Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
