The second College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings of the season, unveiled on Tuesday evening, revealed that Tennessee football has maintained its position at No. 7, while Georgia has experienced a steep drop to No. 12 following a disappointing loss. Georgia fell from a previous rank of No. 3 to No. 12 after suffering a 28-10 defeat to Ole Miss.
Looking ahead, the impending clash between these two teams is set to influence next week’s CFP rankings significantly.
This highly anticipated matchup is scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET and will take place at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. Tennessee boasts an impressive record of 8-1, with a conference record of 5-1, while Georgia, trailing closely, stands at 7-2 with a 5-2 conference mark.
The inaugural CFP rankings last week placed the Vols at No. 7, a position they managed to hold steady in this latest release. The rankings are crafted by the CFP selection committee, which is responsible for evaluating the Top 25 teams as college football transitions to a new 12-team playoff format, with updates slated for each Tuesday over the next three weeks. The final playoff field will be announced on December 8.
Within this new format, five spots are reserved for the champions of the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC, and the highest-ranked champion from a non-Power 5 (P4) conference, while an additional seven teams will earn at-large bids based on their performance in the CFP poll.
As it stands, if the current rankings were to dictate the playoff matchups, Tennessee would have the opportunity to host Notre Dame for a first-round showdown at Neyland Stadium. However, as the rankings will be recalibrated weekly, teams must continue to fight for their positions.
For Tennessee, this season marks a pivotal moment with the expansion of the playoff to 12 teams, providing a prime opportunity to secure a coveted playoff berth. Notably, the Vols’ strongest victory this season came against Alabama, their only blemish being an earlier loss to Arkansas. Securing a win against Georgia would dramatically enhance their playoff chances.
Additionally, Tennessee holds impressive rankings in other polls, sitting at No. 4 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and No. 6 in the AP Top 25, following a commanding 33-14 victory over Mississippi State in Week 11 of the ongoing 2024 season.
College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings
- Oregon (10-0)
- Ohio State (8-1)
- Texas (8-1)
- Penn State (8-1)
- Indiana (10-0)
- BYU (9-0)
- Tennessee (8-1)
- Notre Dame (8-1)
- Miami (9-1)
- Alabama (7-2)
- Ole Miss (8-2)
- Georgia (7-2)
- Boise State (8-1)
- SMU (8-1)
- Texas A&M (7-2)
- Kansas State (7-2)
- Colorado (7-2)
- Washington State (8-1)
- Louisville (6-3)
- Clemson (7-2)
- South Carolina (6-3)
- LSU (6-3)
- Missouri (7-2)
- Army (9-0)
- Tulane (8-2)
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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**Interview with College Football Analyst, Jamie Turner**
**Editor:** Welcome, Jamie! The latest CFP rankings have stirred quite a discussion, especially with Tennessee maintaining its position at No. 7 and Georgia experiencing a sharp decline to No. 12. What are your thoughts on Georgia’s drop after their loss to Ole Miss?
**Jamie Turner:** Thank you for having me! Georgia’s fall from No. 3 to No. 12 is significant and reflects the committee’s perspective on their performance. Losing 28-10 is not just a regular defeat; it raises questions about their ability to compete at a high level this season. They need to quickly rebound to remain in the playoff conversation.
**Editor:** Absolutely. Looking ahead to their matchup against Tennessee this Saturday, how critical is this game for both teams?
**Jamie Turner:** It’s massive. For Tennessee, a win against Georgia not only solidifies their position in the rankings but could potentially enhance their playoff seeding. For Georgia, it’s a must-win situation to regain some credibility after that loss. The stakes couldn’t be higher for either team, and the outcome will heavily influence the upcoming rankings.
**Editor:** With the new 12-team playoff format, how does this change the strategy for teams like Tennessee and Georgia?
**Jamie Turner:** The new format opens up more opportunities for teams to make the playoffs. For Tennessee, being in the top seven gives them a good shot at hosting a playoff game. With at-large bids available, they need to showcase consistency and strength in the remainder of the season. Georgia, on the other hand, needs to prove they can still be a contender and not just a one-hit wonder.
**Editor:** Tennessee holds impressive rankings in other polls as well. How does this affect their overall standing heading into the playoff selection?
**Jamie Turner:** Those rankings reflect broader confidence in Tennessee’s performance this season. Their win against Alabama was huge and shows they can compete with elite teams. If they can secure another strong win against Georgia, they’ll not only solidify their playoff position but could also earn respect in the national conversation moving forward.
**Editor:** as we get closer to the final playoff selections on December 8, what should fans and teams keep an eye on?
**Jamie Turner:** Fans should pay attention to how teams perform in critical matchups each week, as the rankings can dramatically change. For teams like Tennessee and Georgia, each game becomes a playoff game in their pursuit to secure a spot. The strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and overall performance will be vital in determining their fates in this new format.
**Editor:** Thank you, Jamie! It sounds like the coming weeks will be full of excitement and surprises in college football.
**Jamie Turner:** Absolutely! I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. Thank you for having me!