The third College Football Playoff rankings are set to make their grand entrance on Tuesday night. This highly anticipated event holds significant implications for teams across the nation. ESPN college football analyst Dan Mullen has voiced his concerns about how these rankings might treat the Tennessee Volunteers.

Unraveling the Impact of College Football Playoff Rankings

Tennessee's Ranking Journey

Tennessee was once ranked No. 7 in the previous week's rankings. However, after a tough 31 - 17 loss to Georgia this past weekend, Dan Mullen anticipates a substantial drop in their standing. "I think Tennessee is the team that's gonna be – their fanbase, you know, on ole Rocky Top, is going to go ballistic," Dan Mullen said on The Pat McAfee Show. "I think they're going to be the big drop team that's out [from] the SEC now. That would be my guess. I think they're the ones that are out." This loss marked the second one for the Vols this season, following their defeat at Arkansas on Oct. 5. Despite having some notable wins, like against Alabama, Mullen doesn't believe the committee will keep Tennessee in the playoff at this point. "Tennessee's going to say, 'Hey, we beat Alabama. I know we lost to Georgia but we beat Alabama. So shouldn't we be ahead of them?'" Mullen said.

Alabama's Ascent

Alabama was ranked No. 10 last week and showcased their dominance by handling Mercer 52 - 7 on Saturday. Now, Dan Mullen expects the Crimson Tide to leapfrog Tennessee. This shift in rankings highlights the competitive nature of college football and the importance of each game.

Tennessee's Tough Season

According to the Kelley Ford Ratings, Tennessee has one of the 27th most difficult schedules in the country. This tough schedule has not only led to painful losses but has also provided valuable resume-building wins. For instance, their 24 - 17 win over Alabama will play a crucial role in the College Football Playoff selection committee's considerations. Additionally, Tennessee has also emerged victorious against teams like NC State, Oklahoma, and Florida. Two of these victories came when the Volunteers were ranked, adding to their credentials. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel made his case for the Vols and the rest of the SEC following the Georgia loss. "I have no idea, man," Heupel said. "All I know is this league is college football as good as it gets. Like, it is. Teams get beat on the road sometimes. It's hard to win, man, in this league. It's a good football team that we just played. Lost a couple of close ones on the road against good football teams. Had turnovers in that game. It's a good football team. We're a good football team, too." This season has been a rollercoaster for Tennessee, but their performances and results continue to shape their playoff hopes.