I have said plenty to draw ire here but I am just going to say this: First. Disclaimer, like many blindly loyal and willfully ignorant Vol fans, I believe we have a shot at a Natty until we are mathematically eliminated plus 2 losses. Are we the best team? Irrelevant question. I am rooting for Bama and GA tomorrow. Our only hope to catapult up the rankings is wins over highly ranked teams. Many think we have a better chance with A&M if they are high off a win. But beating #10 or #11 is better than beating #17 twice. Also Bama holding at 2 losses out (if we only beat them) means better win quality in hindsight. Of course beating number 1 a few weeks later can jump us again. Then a shot at beating Bama 3 times in 2 years? Come on, you know you want that. This all assuming we win out which is possibly irrational but the life of a Vol fan. Remember my disclaimer. I have no reason to believe we can win out, but I am unwilling to think rationally.
This year is the closest the sec has been in a long time to potentially not having a team in the national title hunt. The only one loss sec team I could see missing the playoff is Georgia and that’s only because they play a high school schedule
The selection folks might as well be brain dead. UGA gets in with one loss easier than maybe anyone but bammer based on the last two years. I'm not saying that's right, but it is what it is.
Next year it is theoretically possible for there to be 5 undefeated big 10 teams. Just saying that to say things will be wilder from here on compared to before because of the conference expansions and dodging tough ooc's.
I’m more concerned with winning the SEC than the natty at this point. I hope Georgia loses, because it would give us a path to Atlanta even if we drop one of the two SEC West games. If we win out, awesome, but it’ll take care of itself at that point.
If you want to be a True Vol Fan you have to be less rational. Who wants to be a multi-loss SEC champion with no playoff berth? It’s almost like you are from the 1960’s when an 8-2 season with a Sugar Bowl win and a final ranking of #3 is good enough. Quit being a sane old head.
Most years yes. This year no. We need the Rubik’s cube to fall into place. Texas is in without a loss. Or maybe 1. PAC 12 champ is in. Big 10 gets at least 1. FSU/ND virtually guaranteed. If GA loses any games SEC needs help. And I am concerned about the Vols only. Winning the SEC and out of the playoff is insulting
They play Alabama. (And are not immune to dropping games against teams like Missouri, South Carolina, and Mississippi State).
So this season is not as magical as we had hoped so far, but at least we aren't making jokes about being a 5.5 -point dog to BYE this year.
15-3 going back to last year. Think it’s common to lose sight of that even after many years of nowhere close to it. And all 3 losses on the road at night and the biggest game of the year for all 3 opponents.
I didn't expect a magical season with this team. So while disappointed with our showing at Florida, I'm just trying to enjoy this season.