Tennessee Football Eyes Playoff Chances After Win

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel remains optimistic about his team's chances in the College Football Playoff (CFP) after a decisive 56-0 victory against UTEP, bringing the Vols' record to 9-2. Heupel emphasized the importance of preparation as they head into their final regular-season game against Vanderbilt, which could determine their playoff fate. Meanwhile, the Vols received favorable results from other games, notably Ohio State's win over Indiana and Florida's upset of Ole Miss, which could aid their CFP positioning despite being ranked No. 11. Tennessee's playoff hopes are complicated by CFP rules that favor conference champions, as Boise State and BYU are projected to secure automatic bids. In contrast, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin expressed concerns about the risks associated with competing in the SEC Championship Game, highlighting a broader sentiment among some coaches about the potential pitfalls of playoff qualification. Tennessee fans are encouraged to support USC, as their success could indirectly benefit the Vols' playoff aspirations.