Tennessee Beats Vanderbilt, Clinches Playoff Spot

The Tennessee Volunteers secured a College Football Playoff berth with a dramatic 36-23 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores, overcoming an early 14-0 deficit. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava threw four touchdown passes, showcasing significant resilience as he led his team to score 29 consecutive points after trailing 17-7. Dylan Sampson set a single-season rushing record with 178 yards, while the Vols' defense made critical stops, including an interception by Jermod McCoy and a safety that shifted momentum. Despite Vanderbilt's early lead, they struggled to recover after Tennessee took control in the second quarter. This win marks the second time in three seasons that the Vols finished with 10 wins, highlighting their strong performance under pressure. Tennessee awaits the announcement of their playoff opponent next Sunday, with aspirations of hosting the first-round game at Neyland Stadium.