National college football reporter makes playoff rankings prediction that Tennessee Vols fans will appreciate
The Tennessee Vols are basically locked into a College Football Playoff spot thanks to their 36-23 win against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Tennessee is just waiting to find out if they'll be playing on the road or hosting a playoff game in Neyland Stadium later this month. Several playoff predictions have Tennessee heading to Columbus to […]
The Tennessee Vols are basically locked into a College Football Playoff spot thanks to their 36-23 win against the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Tennessee is just waiting to find out if they'll be playing on the road or hosting a playoff game in Neyland Stadium later this month.
Several playoff predictions have Tennessee heading to Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Athletic's Stewart Mandel, however, has the Vols hosting Ohio State in the first round of the playoff.
From The Athletic: For weeks I had the Buckeyes winning the Big Ten title game and landing the No. 1 seed. Now, I have them as the No. 9 seed, playing a first-round road game at No. 8 seed Tennessee. Though it’s certainly possible those two 10-2 teams would be flipped.
This is going to be a big debate over the next week. Should the Vols host a playoff game over the Buckeyes? Both teams are 10-2, though Ohio State has two wins over teams that are likely to be in the playoff (Indiana and Penn State). Tennessee, meanwhile, likely won't have a win over a playoff team (unless Alabama somehow sneaks in).
The one thing working in the Vols' favor — and I think this is a big deal — is the fact that Tennessee was undefeated at home this season. Ohio State, though, lost to a not-very-good Michigan team at home this past weekend.
If we're talking about hosting a playoff game, shouldn't home performances be rewarded? Tennessee defended Neyland Stadium all year, going a perfect 7-0 in Knoxville. Ohio State wasn't able to do the same in Columbus.
Road and home losses should be weighted differently in the committee's rankings. And if that's the approach the committee takes, Tennessee will have a really good chance to jump Ohio State in this week's playoff rankings.
Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava drops perfect quote after Vols secure playoff spot with win against Vanderbilt
Big win for Nico and the Vols
