(NewsUSD) – Tennessee Falls to Georgia in Crucial SEC Showdown, Impacting Playoff Hopes
The Tennessee vs Georgia Volunteers’ 31-17 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday night at Sanford Stadium in Athens marked another disappointing chapter in a tough decade-long rivalry for the Vols. The defeat, however, carries broader implications, potentially shaking up the SEC Championship race and the College Football Playoff picture.
The No. 10 Bulldogs, led by head coach Kirby Smart, avoided what could have been a season-ending third loss. Now standing at 9-2 overall and 6-2 in conference play, Georgia remains in the hunt for the SEC title and a playoff berth. Tennessee, meanwhile, falls to 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the SEC under head coach Josh Heupel, leaving questions about their postseason prospects.
Tennessee’s Playoff Chances Hang in the Balance
Despite the loss, Tennessee is still in contention for a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, set to debut this season. The playoff format allows more leeway for teams with multiple losses, but the Vols face stiff competition within the SEC, where six teams currently boast two or fewer losses.
Ranked No. 7 in the most recent playoff standings, Tennessee could see its position slip behind Georgia, Alabama, and Ole Miss, complicating its path to the playoffs. With the top-ranked conference champion from outside the Power Five conferences guaranteed a spot, the Vols risk being pushed out of the bracket entirely.
What’s Next for Tennessee?
Tennessee vs Georgia: is expected to finish the regular season with a 10-2 record, facing UTEP at home next week and then traveling to Nashville to take on a resurgent Vanderbilt team. A win over Vanderbilt would secure a strong conference finish, but the Vols will also need help from other SEC teams to keep their championship hopes alive.
To make the SEC Championship Game, Tennessee must overcome a complex tiebreaker scenario involving four other teams—Georgia, Alabama, Ole Miss, and the winner of the Texas-Texas A&M clash. Should Alabama and Ole Miss win out, the Vols would find themselves on the outside looking in due to head-to-head results and SEC tiebreaker rules.
Key Moments in Tennessee’s Season
The Vols’ 2024 campaign has been a mix of high points and heartbreaks. Signature wins include a thrilling 24-17 victory over Alabama and a 25-15 upset at Oklahoma, but narrow losses to Arkansas and Georgia highlight missed opportunities.
Here’s a look at Tennessee’s season so far:
- August 31: Defeated Chattanooga, 69-3
- September 7: Defeated No. 23 NC State, 51-10 (Charlotte, N.C.)
- September 14: Defeated Kent State, 71-10
- September 21: Defeated No. 13 Oklahoma, 25-15 (Away)
- October 5: Lost to Arkansas, 19-14 (Away)
- October 12: Defeated Florida, 23-17 (OT)
- October 19: Defeated No. 7 Alabama, 24-17
- November 2: Defeated Kentucky, 27-17
- November 9: Defeated Mississippi State, 33-14
- November 16: Lost to No. 10 Georgia, 31-17 (Away)
Looking Ahead
Tennessee’s next challenge is a home game against UTEP on November 23, followed by the regular-season finale against Vanderbilt on November 30. Both games are must-wins to maintain playoff hopes, but the Vols will also need several upsets across the SEC to punch their ticket to Atlanta for the conference title game.
The expanded playoff format may work in Tennessee’s favor, but their path remains murky. For now, Heupel and his squad can only control what’s in front of them, starting with UTEP next weekend.
This article originally appeared on yahoo.com. Can Tennessee still make College Football Playoff? What’s next after Georgia loss
