As the college football season progresses, every win, loss, and upset reshapes the playoff landscape. For the Tennessee Volunteers, the 2024 season has been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, but recent events have given the team a much-needed boost in its pursuit of a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP). Specifically, wins by Florida and Ohio State have opened the door for the Volunteers to potentially slip into one of the coveted playoff spots, provided they can continue to perform at a high level in the coming weeks.
While Tennessee’s own performance on the field remains vital to their playoff aspirations, external factors like the outcomes of key games involving Florida and Ohio State have played a crucial role in giving the Vols a better chance of cracking the playoff field. In this article, we will examine how Tennessee’s playoff hopes were strengthened by these two victories and explore the scenarios that could still play out for the Volunteers to secure a place in the 2024 College Football Playoff.
1. Tennessee’s Position in the Playoff Race
At the time of the Florida and Ohio State wins, Tennessee football had an overall record of 9-2 heading into the final stretch of the regular season. The Volunteers were performing well but still had some challenges ahead, including tough matchups against Alabama and Georgia, as well as critical games within the SEC East.
The College Football Playoff selection committee takes into account a variety of factors, including a team’s strength of schedule, quality of wins, conference championships, and overall record. For Tennessee, there were a few hurdles to overcome. Their early-season loss to Florida had put them in a precarious position, as that defeat was especially damaging in a crowded SEC East race. In addition, their loss to Georgia made their path to the playoff more difficult. But the Volunteers’ remaining schedule, including a showdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide and potentially a spot in the SEC Championship, presented opportunities to improve their resume and bolster their case for the CFP.
The Volunteers were also facing stiff competition from teams like Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, and other highly-ranked schools. However, the results of the Florida and Ohio State games gave Tennessee a glimmer of hope. Here’s a breakdown of how these two victories played a pivotal role in boosting Tennessee’s playoff hopes.
2. Florida’s Upset Win and Its Impact on Tennessee
Florida, an SEC rival of Tennessee, has been a mixed bag in recent years, but they have always been a program that could pull off surprises. When the Gators took on Georgia in a late-season SEC matchup, few expected Florida to come out on top. After all, Georgia had been one of the most dominant teams in college football and was firmly entrenched as one of the favorites for a playoff spot. However, Florida’s upset win over Georgia sent shockwaves through the college football world and, by extension, gave Tennessee a huge advantage in the race for the SEC East title.
Why was Florida’s victory so crucial for Tennessee? The reason lies in the SEC standings. Tennessee had already suffered a loss to Georgia earlier in the season, but Georgia’s loss to Florida now placed the Bulldogs in a position where they would need to win out and potentially win the SEC Championship to stay in the playoff conversation. This loss by Georgia opened the door for teams like Tennessee, who had not yet clinched a spot in the SEC Championship game, to still have a realistic path to the playoffs.
In the SEC East, Florida’s win meant that Tennessee’s path to the title could still be viable, especially if the Vols were able to win out and get some help from other conference rivals. Florida’s upset over Georgia also weakened Georgia’s standing in the CFP race, increasing the chances that a second SEC team—Tennessee—could be included in the final four.
Furthermore, the Gators’ win made it more difficult for Georgia to maintain an undefeated record, which significantly impacted their playoff positioning. A one-loss Georgia team, even with an SEC Championship, would now face stiff competition for a playoff berth, opening up the possibility for Tennessee to sneak in with a strong finish to their own season.
3. Ohio State’s Key Win and Tennessee’s Playoff Picture
The victory by Ohio State over a highly-ranked Michigan squad was another critical event that benefited Tennessee’s playoff aspirations. Ohio State, one of the perennial powers of the Big Ten, has always been a program that has remained in contention for the playoff, but their ability to secure a win in this late-season matchup helped solidify their place as one of the playoff-bound teams in 2024.
The Buckeyes’ win was particularly impactful in terms of the overall strength of the Big Ten conference. Ohio State’s triumph over Michigan helped the Buckeyes maintain an undefeated record and likely secured them a spot in the Big Ten Championship game, where they could have the opportunity to bolster their playoff resume further. But how did this victory affect Tennessee’s chances?
Ohio State’s success indirectly aided Tennessee by complicating the playoff race. With Ohio State now positioned as a probable playoff team, it would force other programs like Georgia, Michigan, and Alabama to continue winning to stay competitive. For Tennessee, having Ohio State locked in as a strong contender meant that the competition for the remaining playoff spots was narrowed, providing a glimmer of hope for the Volunteers.
Additionally, Ohio State’s victory could impact the Big 12 and SEC in a key way. The committee often compares teams from different conferences when choosing which teams to include in the playoff, and with Ohio State continuing to dominate in the Big Ten, Tennessee’s resume could be enhanced if they managed to win the SEC Championship. Winning the SEC Championship would provide Tennessee with the signature win they needed to elevate their playoff candidacy.
4. Potential Scenarios for Tennessee’s Playoff Hopes
While the victories by Florida and Ohio State provided a boost to Tennessee’s playoff hopes, several key factors will ultimately determine whether the Volunteers can secure a spot in the 2024 College Football Playoff. The following are some potential scenarios that could unfold in the final weeks of the season:
- Tennessee Wins Out and SEC Championship: The most straightforward path for Tennessee is to win their remaining regular-season games, including a potential SEC Championship Game appearance. If the Volunteers win the SEC Championship, they would likely be an automatic selection for the playoff, especially with their strong conference pedigree.
- A One-Loss Tennessee and Help from Other Conferences: Even if Tennessee does not win the SEC Championship but finishes with just one loss, they could still secure a playoff spot. This would require other teams like Georgia, Alabama, and Michigan to have a few slip-ups, with the committee valuing Tennessee’s win over a strong SEC opponent and their close competition in the conference.
- Georgia’s Fall from Grace: Given Georgia’s loss to Florida, Tennessee’s chances increase if Georgia stumbles further. If Georgia fails to win the SEC Championship, it opens the door for another SEC team to take their place in the playoff, and Tennessee could be a strong candidate if they finish strong.
- Ohio State Wins Out: If Ohio State secures their place in the playoff as an undefeated Big Ten champion, that may reduce the chances for a second Big Ten team to join the playoffs. As long as Tennessee stays competitive and wins their games, they could edge out a two-loss Big Ten team or other conference teams vying for a playoff spot.
