Well positioned even with a close loss?

[sjt18]

I sincerely want the Vols to win out with everything in me. This has been so long in coming, however, say Tennessee loses a close game in Athens and then it's Georgia/Alabama in the SEC Championship - Georgia knocks out Alabama and we enter the playoff as the second SEC team. Alabama is our nemesis either way. In summary, I think the Vols could reach the playoff even with a loss next week and NO ONE will want to play the Vols in the playoffs, that's for sure.

I've thought about this a lot. The voter bias against UT is still pretty strong. You have one clown who voted UT 5th in the last poll. Another had them 4th behind Michigan. So you have that factor.

However that's not all that weighs against a one loss UT team getting in without making the SEC CG. I actually think UT could get in with a close loss in the CG... but wouldn't want to risk it.

There is some SEC fatigue. That's not necessarily directed at UT but rather the conference's dominance as a whole. They don't care that UT hasn't been involved in a while... only that they belong to the SEC. A lot of people around the country would like to see other conferences get a "fair" shot. Oregon, USC, and UCLA are currently 8-10. If one of them finishes with one loss and UT finishes with one loss... they're probably in ahead of the Vols. A lot of voters will favor a one loss tOSU or Michigan team over a one loss UT team. Most expect TCU to lose a game but there is a lot of "romance" from voters around them. If undefeated, they're in. Even with one loss they could be in if they win the Big12. Clemson is all but certain to get in.

So let's say the Pac12 champion has one loss. Let's say that TCU finishes as the Big 12 champ with one loss. Let's say that Michigan-OSU is a classic at the end of the season and one of them finishes with one loss and the other the Big10 champ. You then have Clemson who is in and the SEC champ who is in. Do you really think UT gets the nod over those other teams who won their conference?

 

[orangemadam]

Here is reality. If we lose, Alabama has to lose again. The SEC ain’t getting 3 playoff teams and you know the SEC and ESPN want Alabama in the playoff again.

Big Ten Winner and Clemson get in. And if TCU keeps winning, the SECCG loser may also get left out.

So no, we aren’t well positioned with an L .

This is exactly right. If we lose, it would be critical for OSU and GA to remain undefeated.

 

[JRich]

Got to win out to go to playoff, IMO. UT gets no national respect. Haven't you heard? The 5 top 25 teams UT has beaten were trash.

 

[Frosty]

this scenario doesn’t exist.

Everything is going to go right. Tennessee W

WGWTFA

 

['Boro-vol]

You are crazy old school. This is the path to take.

Lose a game to avoid sec championship. Enter playoffs as 4 seed and win a National Champioship.

2017 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule | ESPN

If the Tennessee Vols are National Champs like 2017 Bama, no one remembers who won east or SEC. I'm tight with some diehard Georgia fans, and that year was the worst for them. They choked it all away to Tua

I guess I am, unapologetically. Don’t get me wrong…I’d enjoy winning the Natty. But without winning the conference, I won’t enjoy it as much. Like I said…to me there is a progression to follow.

 

[NighthawkVol]

I sincerely want the Vols to win out with everything in me. This has been so long in coming, however, say Tennessee loses a close game in Athens and then it's Georgia/Alabama in the SEC Championship - Georgia knocks out Alabama and we enter the playoff as the second SEC team. Alabama is our nemesis either way. In summary, I think the Vols could reach the playoff even with a loss next week and NO ONE will want to play the Vols in the playoffs, that's for sure.

But if Alabama beats Georgia, we're out. You're correct that we get in under your scenario, but beating Georgia and making it to the SECCG assures Tennessee of a playoff berth, since we would go to ATL undefeated and ranked #1. A loss would not knock us below #4.

 

[Vol_in_NC_1999]

My opinion, Vols have the advantage, even if GA is the better team on paper (and they probably are). My reasoning:

Vols are on the upswing. They're playing confident and everyone is feeding off each other. Coaches are gaining confidence in players, and vice versa.
GA is expected to win this game, from the media, fans, and coaches. The Vols have been knocking off just about every top-25 opponent unexpectedly, creating this "domino" effect within the SEC. GA doesn't want to lose and create the appearance the Vols will be the next dominant team in the next few years. It's the same in any sport: Easier to climb to the top than stay there. This is all mental, but it's huge. GA is going to come out tight, not wanting to make mistakes or give up the big game. They're going to watch the film and see how TN has been changing and evolving even up until this past week (e.g. Slaughter at CB). Vols have the big momentum, and I really believe that's going to be a huge factor in this game.

 

[Jax_Vol]

I guess I am, unapologetically. Don’t get me wrong…I’d enjoy winning the Natty. But without winning the conference, I won’t enjoy it as much. Like I said…to me there is a progression to follow.

So, you want to win every game....aka, 15-0?

 

[CAVPUT]

I sincerely want the Vols to win out with everything in me. This has been so long in coming, however, say Tennessee loses a close game in Athens and then it's Georgia/Alabama in the SEC Championship - Georgia knocks out Alabama and we enter the playoff as the second SEC team. Alabama is our nemesis either way. In summary, I think the Vols could reach the playoff even with a loss next week and NO ONE will want to play the Vols in the playoffs, that's for sure.

It's possible, but honestly, UT would need some help to backdoor themselves into the playoffs. I didn't think we would have all the breaks fall our way like we did in '98 either so I won't discount the possibility.

 

['Boro-vol]

So, you want to win every game....aka, 15-0?

Absolutely. I certainly want to beat Georgia. Thinking about this “strategically” takes all of the incentive out of the season. I don’t want to hear Georgia fans comments about backing in after losing to them, then potentially not playing them again for the Natty.

Just win the conference and move to the next step.

 

[mrmax86]

Look at the current top 8:

1. Georgia (8-0)
2. Tennessee (8-0)
3. Ohio State (8-0)
4. Michigan (8-0)
5. Clemson (8-0)
6. Alabama (7-1)
7. TCU (8-0)
8. Oregon (7-1)

If we lose to Georgia, who do we drop below? OSU and Michigan will play. You have to assume the winner of that would be #2 to Georgia, and the other would drop below Bama. Also, we can't be lower than Bama, having the head-to-head victory. Assuming we win out...these are my rankings going into Conference Championship weekend:

1. Georgia (12-0)
2. Ohio State/Michigan (12-0)
3. Clemson (12-0)
4. Tennessee (11-1)
5. Alabama (11-1)
6. Ohio State/Michigan (11-1)
7. TCU (12-0)
8. Oregon (11-1)

Then what? I look at this and don't know what to do with TCU. I feel like they are deserving, but they aren't being ranked there now, so what would change that? They aren't playing any harder competition from here out, and they are ranked below Bama now, so they must continue to be. Assuming UGA wins SEC, Clemson the ACC, OSU/Michigan Victor the BIG, TCU the Big 12, and Oregon the Pac 12, here we are:

1. Georgia (13-0)
2. Ohio State/Michigan (13-0)
3. Clemson (13-0)
4. Tennessee (11-1)
5. TCU (13-0)
6. Oregon (12-1)
7. Alabama (11-2)
8. Ohio State/Michigan (11-1)

All of the scenarios above are "worst-case" for us, except the UGA SEC win. Worst-case there would be if Bama won. I think in that case, they leap frog us and we stay home.

1. Ohio State/Michigan (13-0)
2. Clemson (13-0)
3. Alabama (12-1)
4. Georgia (12-1)
5. Tennessee (11-1)
6. TCU (13-0)
7. Oregon (12-1)
8. Ohio State/Michigan (11-1)

We gotta take care of business this weekend.

 

[hog88]

I get it…just surprised so many are ok with not winning the conference to get there. Growing up pre-playoff and BCS stressed winning the conference, especially after we went to divisional play. It gave bragging rights…because winning this championship meant you could likely beat anyone.

To me, it’ll always be the most important thing. Maybe Im an outlier.

Does winning the B12 or P12 really mean you are one of the best teams in the country? I think we have seen that's not the case since the playoffs began.

 

['Boro-vol]

Does winning the B12 or P12 really mean you are one of the best teams in the country? I think we have seen that's not the case since the playoffs began.

No it doesn’t. But winning the SEC does. That’s why I want to do it.

Thank you for illustrating my point.

 

[hog88]

Got to win out to go to playoff, IMO. UT gets no national respect. Haven't you heard? The 5 top 25 teams UT has beaten were trash.

Those 5 are still more and better than anyone outside of the SEC has played.

 

[hog88]

No it doesn’t. But winning the SEC does. That’s why I want to do it.

Thank you for illustrating my point.

Please don't get me wrong, I hope like hell we finish 12-0 and curb stomp whoever comes out of the West. I just think an 11-1 SEC team is a better take for the playoffs than a 12-1 or undefeated B12/P12 champion.

 

[top5vols]

Here is reality. If we lose, Alabama has to lose again. The SEC ain’t getting 3 playoff teams and you know the SEC and ESPN want Alabama in the playoff again.

Big Ten Winner and Clemson get in. And if TCU keeps winning, the SECCG loser may also get left out.

So no, we aren’t well positioned with an L .

I beg to differ. A two loss Bama team would set a precedent the playoff committee doesn’t want.

 

['Boro-vol]

Please don't get me wrong, I hope like hell we finish 12-0 and curb stomp whoever comes out of the West. I just think an 11-1 SEC team is a better take for the playoffs than a 12-1 or undefeated B12/P12 champion.

It may be…it just doesn’t tick all the boxes I’m interested in. I want that SEC trophy. It’s been too long. And even in the playoff era, it just means more.

 

[WillisWG]

I sincerely want the Vols to win out with everything in me. This has been so long in coming, however, say Tennessee loses a close game in Athens and then it's Georgia/Alabama in the SEC Championship - Georgia knocks out Alabama and we enter the playoff as the second SEC team. Alabama is our nemesis either way. In summary, I think the Vols could reach the playoff even with a loss next week and NO ONE will want to play the Vols in the playoffs, that's for sure.

close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. . .keeping winning you're in.

 

[Jax_Vol]

Absolutely. I certainly want to beat Georgia. Thinking about this “strategically” takes all of the incentive out of the season. I don’t want to hear Georgia fans comments about backing in after losing to them, then potentially not playing them again for the Natty.

Just win the conference and move to the next step.

As much as I hate Alabama, Coach Saban is the greatest coach ever in the game of college football. For all the decades and great players that he has had, they have never accomplished your wish of 15-0. Never, zilch, nothing.

Shall we also assume that your poop does not stink?

 

[hog88]

It may be…it just doesn’t tick all the boxes I’m interested in. I want that SEC trophy. It’s been too long. And even in the playoff era, it just means more.

I don't disagree with you.

 

[VolFanNC09]

I sincerely want the Vols to win out with everything in me. This has been so long in coming, however, say Tennessee loses a close game in Athens and then it's Georgia/Alabama in the SEC Championship - Georgia knocks out Alabama and we enter the playoff as the second SEC team. Alabama is our nemesis either way. In summary, I think the Vols could reach the playoff even with a loss next week and NO ONE will want to play the Vols in the playoffs, that's for sure.

We would need Clemson or TCU to lose a game. Winner of OSU Michigan is in, SEC champion is in. If Clemson and TCU are undefeated, I am betting they are in. if one of them loses, then the number 2 SEC team is in. We could because of Schedule, but I wouldn't put it as a certainty.

 

[Zues1]

I sincerely want the Vols to win out with everything in me. This has been so long in coming, however, say Tennessee loses a close game in Athens and then it's Georgia/Alabama in the SEC Championship - Georgia knocks out Alabama and we enter the playoff as the second SEC team. Alabama is our nemesis either way. In summary, I think the Vols could reach the playoff even with a loss next week and NO ONE will want to play the Vols in the playoffs, that's for sure.

boo this man.
Just win baby

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Things have a way of sorting themselves out in November and early December.

I remember in '98, around Thanksgiving there remained three undefeated teams: the Vols, UCLA, and Kansas State. Tons of angst among the fan bases and on ESPN and in USA Today about who would get left out of the BCS championship game.

Then A&M beat Kansas State in the B12 championship, and UCLA lost to some other PAC team (don't remember who) that same afternoon, and the Vols were the lone survivor (we beat Mississippi State for the SEC crown to seal the deal).

So yeah, I'm not too worried about TCU or Clemson or Ohio State or Michigan at this point. Just keep finding ways to win, keep finding ways to survive the challenges, and everything else will sort itself out.

Go Vols!

 

[volbound1700]

With a close loss someone needs to lose.

However that’s for Georgia to worry about.

Agree. I was rooting hard for Penn State Saturday, more due to Heisman race than Playoff race but it would have helped both. Penn State choked. I don't see anyone beating Ohio State. B1G has great defenses but there are no offenses that stretch the field and throw it around like you see in the SEC (exception being Ohio State itself).

 

[Arrested Devolopment]

Fellow Vol fans: I'm from 4 months in the future ago and I just watched Heisman Winner Hendon Hooker hoisting the Dr. Pepper National Championship trophy.

PS: we defeated Michigan by fiddy