Tennessee football faced a significant setback as it dropped to No. 11 and was excluded from the 12-team bracket in the third College Football Playoff poll released on Tuesday night. This marked a notable decline for the Vols, who had previously held a higher position. The team's recent loss to Georgia, a 31-17 defeat, was a crucial factor in this downward trend. Tennessee now finds itself in a challenging situation as it aims to secure a playoff spot.

Tennessee Football's Playoff Hopes Take a Hit

Tennessee's Early Rankings and Recent Loss

Tennessee initially ranked No. 7 in the first and second weeks of the CFP poll. However, their loss to Georgia led to a drop in the rankings. This setback came after a string of performances, including a bad loss to Arkansas and a quality win over Alabama. The team's resume now holds both victories and defeats that will impact their playoff chances.The CFP selection committee's ranking system for the new 12-team playoff format is crucial for Tennessee. The rankings are updated each Tuesday for the next two weeks, with the final CFP field announced on Dec. 8. This provides Tennessee with a window of opportunity to improve their standing.

Tennessee's Remaining Schedule and Playoff Path

Tennessee has an important stretch of games remaining. They play UTEP (2-8) on Saturday at Neyland Stadium and then face Vanderbilt on Nov. 30 to finish the regular season. These games will be crucial in determining their final record and playoff prospects.There are five guaranteed spots in the playoff for the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC champions, and the highest-ranked non-P4 conference champion. Tennessee is currently ranked No. 10 in the AP Top 25 and No. 11 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. To make the playoff, they will need to perform well in these remaining games and hope for favorable rankings.

Other Contenders in the College Football Playoff Race

Oregon (11-0), Ohio State (9-1), Texas (9-1), Penn State (9-1), Indiana (10-0), Notre Dame (9-1), Alabama (8-2), Miami (9-1), Ole Miss (8-2), Georgia (8-2), Boise State (9-1), SMU (9-1), BYU (9-1), Texas A&M (8-2), Colorado (8-2), Clemson (8-2), South Carolina (7-3), Army (9-0), Tulane (9-2), Arizona State (8-2), Iowa State (8-2), Missouri (7-3), and UNLV (8-2) are also in the mix for the playoff. Each team presents its own challenges and opportunities, and Tennessee will need to outperform some of these contenders to secure a spot.In conclusion, Tennessee football is facing a tough battle to make the College Football Playoff. Their recent drop in the rankings and remaining schedule will determine their fate. With strong competition from other teams, the Vols will need to play their best football in the coming weeks to have a chance at the playoffs.