Tennessee Opens at No. 13 in College Football Playoff Rankings
The College Football Playoff committee ranked Tennessee No. 13 in its initial rankings, released on November 3, leaving the 6-2 Volunteers with a path to climb as they enter the final four games.
Tennessee was placed 13th in the first College Football Playoff rankings, giving the 6-2 Volunteers a starting position above their standing in the AP poll. The ranking follows a loss to South Carolina that added uncertainty to the team’s playoff prospects.
The Volunteers have four regular-season games remaining and are expected to need wins to improve their position. Their schedule begins with a November 7 home game against Kentucky, which is 7-1 and tied with Georgia for the SEC lead.
The matchup could affect both teams’ playoff chances and their prospects of reaching the SEC Championship. Tennessee’s remaining games are November 14 at Texas A&M, November 21 at home against LSU and November 28 at Vanderbilt.
Tennessee’s place in the initial rankings leaves room to move up, but the team has little margin for another loss, the report said. A loss in the SEC Championship could be an exception, if the Volunteers reach that game. Their next opportunity to make a strong impression on the committee comes against Kentucky.