Because some people have been randomly asking, here are the only 2 scenarios that could result in UT being in the SECCG going into this Saturday.

[Golfprovol]

Won the SEC championship against Miss St, and then won the National Title vs FSU.

It's playing to win. Stop planning to lose. Take the most exciting path to EVERY goal.

Go Vols!

Do you remember we had to get help to get in that NC game? Regardless of winning the SEC

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Do you remember we had to get help to get in that NC game? Regardless of winning the SEC

We did not.

In the week prior to the conference championships, we were ranked #1, Kansas State was #2, and UCLA was #3.

That weekend, KSU lost in the B12 championship to, I think, A&M. They dropped. The same day, UCLA lost a hurricane makeup game to someone else, I don't remember who. They were out. But we beat Mississippi State soundly, and were reconfirmed as #1.

FSU rose from the #4 spot to #2 and ended up getting the nod to join us in Arizona.

Then we beat them.

Now, if you wanna say we "got help" to beat Arkansas in the final minute, I'd answer: Billy Ratliff. He and our Vols helped themselves. If you wanna go back even earlier in the season and say Syracuse or Florida were close games, I'd say sure. But no one helped our lads; they helped themselves.

Stop planning to lose. Play to win.

Go Vols!

 

[Golfprovol]

Saying the same thing over and over doesn't make it true.

Not planning to lose, would rather be in the playoffs than in a do or die SEC CG.

Conference titles mean little to nothing.....without Google no one remembers who won Conferences in past years.

 

[Golfprovol]

We did not.

In the week prior to the conference championships, we were ranked #1, Kansas State was #2, and UCLA was #3.

That weekend, KSU lost in the B12 championship to, I think, A&M. They dropped. The same day, UCLA lost a hurricane makeup game to someone else, I don't remember who. They were out. But we beat Mississippi State soundly, and were reconfirmed as #1.

FSU rose from the #4 spot to #2 and ended up getting the nod to join us in Arizona.

Then we beat them.

Now, if you wanna say we "got help" to beat Arkansas in the final minute, I'd answer: Billy Ratliff. He and our Vols helped themselves. If you wanna go back even earlier in the season and say Syracuse or Florida were close games, I'd say sure. But no one helped our lads; they helped themselves.

Stop planning to lose. Play to win.

Go Vols!

25 seconds left - 4th and goal from the 4 - you are down by 3, you would go for it or kick the FG?

 

[VFL-82-JP]

25 seconds left - 4th and goal from the 4 - you are down by 3, you would go for it or kick the FG?

If it works, it works. The other team certainly didn't step off the field to "help us."

Don't plan to lose. Play to win.

Go Vols!

 

[dieseldaddy]

I want a SEC championship. Don't like that the ugas have past us for the second most. Georgia is quickly rising up my hate list. They have passed the lizards for 3rd.

 

[Milehigh_Vol]

For the first time in my life, I am cheering for the Gators... I am sick..

 

[Golfprovol]

If it works, it works. The other team certainly didn't step off the field to "help us."

Don't plan to lose. Play to win.

Go Vols!

So you would go for it?

P.S. - winning the SEC doesn't guarantee you a first round bye, right now Boise gets it over BYU.

 

[Golfprovol]

I want a SEC championship. Don't like that the ugas have past us for the second most. Georgia is quickly rising up my hate list. They have passed the lizards for 3rd.

At the risk playing in the citrus bowl and being left out of the playoffs?

 

[VFL-82-JP]

winning the SEC doesn't guarantee you a first round bye, right now Boise gets it over BYU.

You're kidding, right?

The SEC and B10 champs are absolutely guaranteed to be among the four highest-ranking conference champions. And therefore, a first round bye.

There is 0% chance those two conferences aren't among the top three conference champs, much less top 4. In fact, I can't see any scenario where they aren't the top 2.

Let's don't get ridiculous, now.

 

[dieseldaddy]

At the risk playing in the citrus bowl and being left out of the playoffs?

But if we win we have a bye. I think the risk is worth the rewards. I don't know if we can win a natty . I would personally rather be the best in the sec. I'm not sold on the natty in a 12 team meaning as much as being the best in the sec. The sec is college football

 

[Golfprovol]

You're kidding, right?

The SEC and B10 champs are absolutely guaranteed to be among the four highest-ranking conference champions. And therefore, a first round bye.

There is 0% chance those two conferences aren't among the top three conference champs, much less top 4. In fact, I can't see any scenario where they aren't the top 2.

Let's don't get ridiculous, now.

All other champs have 1 loss and the SEC winner has 2. Could not explain that. Can't say strength of schedules cause ours is way better than some of those ahead of us.....

Answer the question......do you go for it on 4th and goal from the 4 with 25 seconds left down by 3

 

[Golfprovol]

But if we win we have a bye. I think the risk is worth the rewards. I don't know if we can win a natty . I would personally rather be the best in the sec. I'm not sold on the natty in a 12 team meaning as much as being the best in the sec. The sec is college football

That is insane.

A chance to win the SEC or a chance to win the NC?

 

[Golfprovol]

You're kidding, right?

The SEC and B10 champs are absolutely guaranteed to be among the four highest-ranking conference champions. And therefore, a first round bye.

There is 0% chance those two conferences aren't among the top three conference champs, much less top 4. In fact, I can't see any scenario where they aren't the top 2.

Let's don't get ridiculous, now.

Let's say Texas gets beat today.....the SEC leader would NOT be in the top 2 on Tuesday.

 

[dieseldaddy]

Not a fan of the watered down playoffs. Obviously, I would rather win a natty. Just feel like it doesn't mean as much

 

[Golfprovol]

I don't think the SEC championship game loser gets left out of the playoffs, unless it is a 20+ point blowout or a key player gets injured in the game. They will be slotted as the number two SEC team, regardless.

If the runner up of the SEC CG gets in just because they are the runner up, the you open the door to the runner up from all the other 3 main conferences having a case to get in.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Let's say Texas gets beat today.....the SEC leader would NOT be in the top 2 on Tuesday.

Yes they would.

The current top 7 are:
#1 - B10
#2 - B10
#3 - SEC
#4 - B10
#5 - B10
#6 - Independent
#7 - SEC

If the SEC team at #3 loses, and drops, that just means the SEC team at #7 becomes the second-highest-rank potential conference champ.

So the SEC would be in the top 2 in the slating for the CFP, as the 2d-best conference rep.

It would take both Texas and Alabama losing for another conference leader (Miami, ACC, currently at #8) to leapfrog both of them. And even then, Georgia (at #10) might leapfrog Miami and us STILL be among the top 2 conference champs.

 

[Golfprovol]

Yes they would.

The current top 7 are:
#1 - B10
#2 - B10
#3 - SEC
#4 - B10
#5 - B10
#6 - Independent
#7 - SEC

If the SEC team at #3 loses, and drops, that just means the SEC team at #7 becomes the second-highest-rank potential conference champ.

So the SEC would be in the top 2 in the slating for the CFP, as the 2d-best conference rep.

Look at the current bracket, the SEC is #2, if KY beats Texas today, then the SEC would not be #2.

How come you wont answer the 4th down question?

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Look at the current bracket, the SEC is #2, if KY beats Texas today, then the SEC would not be #2.

How come you wont answer the 4th down question?

Because it's not important to this conversation. You somehow seem to think you have something there, but you don't. It makes no difference what I would do on any particular play.

You don't get how rankings are different than slating in the CFP, do you? Imagine Texas loses and drops several spots in the rankings, then look further down until you find a conference leader other than the B10. Who do you find?

Another SEC team, that's who. So the B10 and SEC would still have the two highest-ranked conference champs if things ended there.

Go Vols!

 

[Golfprovol]

Because it's not important to this conversation. You somehow seem to think you have something there, but you don't. It makes no difference what I would do on any particular play.

You don't get how rankings are different than slating in the CFP, do you?

No you dont get how the bracket has nothing to do with the polls and rankings

So you say play to win, play to win, play to win....but in that situation you would play for overtime. That is the proper thing to do but it goes against your always play to win.....

Sometimes it is best to give up on small goals in order to complete the full mission.....

 

[VFL-82-JP]

No you dont get how the bracket has nothing to do with the polls and rankings

So you say play to win, play to win, play to win....but in that situation you would play for overtime. That is the proper thing to do but it goes against your always play to win.....

Sometimes it is best to give up on small goals in order to complete the full mission.....

Ok friend, you also don't understand the difference between tactics, operations, and strategy.

You keep asking me a tactical question, but we're having a conversation about season-wide strategy.

Two very different sets of questions. Don't conflate the two. As I said, it has nothing to do with this conversation.

~ ~ ~

So now, focus back on the question of playoff positioning. Do you see how the SEC is still going to be one of the top two conferences, even if Texas loses to Kentucky?

Go Vols!

 

[Golfprovol]

Ok friend, you also don't understand the difference between tactics, operations, and strategy.

You keep asking me a tactical question, but we're having a conversation about season-wide strategy.

Two very different sets of questions. Don't conflate the two. As I said, it has nothing to do with this conversation.

Go Vols!

I will revisit this when a 3 loss SEC team gets left out, then you can admit it watch better off making the playoffs and skipping Atlanta

Arguing with irrational, hypocritical, and people without an open mind is not worth this anymore.

 

[Golfprovol]

3 loss Ole Miss is OUT of playoffs......

 

[TrueOrange]

What happens is ole miss loses today and we win out?

If that’s the only upset that happens, SEC Championship game is Texas be Alabama.

 

[Volanta]

If that’s the only upset that happens, SEC Championship game is Texas be Alabama.

And we make playoffs?