College Football Playoff (CFP) Committee’s Made a Final Decision to rank Tennessee at No. 11 in the initial rankings for the 2024 season
The College Football Playoff (CFP) Committee’s decision to rank Tennessee at No. 11 in the initial rankings for the 2023 season has generated considerable discussion among fans and analysts. While Tennessee’s record of 7-2 at the time of the rankings was solid, the committee’s explanation behind the Vols’ positioning took into account several key factors that influenced the decision.
First and foremost, the committee considers a team’s overall body of work, including strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and quality of wins and losses. Tennessee’s two losses—against Georgia and Florida—were crucial in determining its ranking. The Vols’ loss to Georgia, though to one of the top teams in the country, was a decisive defeat, with Tennessee failing to mount much of a competitive challenge. The committee placed significant emphasis on the fact that Tennessee did not just lose to Georgia, but was outclassed in all phases of the game, which reflected poorly on the team’s overall resume.
The loss to Florida, however, was more concerning in that it came early in the season, and Florida had not emerged as a dominant force in the SEC. For the committee, losses to a team like Florida, particularly when playing at home, raised questions about Tennessee’s consistency and ability to compete with the best teams in the country. While both losses were against ranked opponents, the committee viewed them as setbacks that held Tennessee back from reaching a higher position in the rankings.
On the positive side, Tennessee has some impressive wins to its name, including victories over ranked teams like Kentucky and Texas A&M. However, the committee noted that while these wins were commendable, they did not necessarily showcase Tennessee’s ability to challenge the top-tier programs in the country. The Vols’ victories, while strong, came against teams with mixed records, and the overall quality of wins was not enough to vault them into the top 10.
Additionally, the CFP Committee weighs a team’s performance relative to expectations. Tennessee entered the season with high hopes, given their 2022 success, but the losses to Georgia and Florida were a significant deviation from those expectations. The committee also looked at how teams performed in terms of scoring margin, offensive and defensive efficiency, and overall consistency. Tennessee’s lack of balance, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, was another factor in their ranking. While their offense could still light up the scoreboard, their defense had been vulnerable at times, allowing opponents to stay in games or score at will.
In sum, the CFP Committee’s No. 11 ranking for Tennessee reflects a combination of factors. While the Vols have had a solid season with some notable wins, their two losses, one of which was particularly damaging, and the inconsistency in their play, especially defensively, held them back from being ranked higher. The committee’s ranking placed Tennessee just outside the top 10, acknowledging their potential but also signaling that more work is needed to break into the playoff conversation.
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