Tennessee’s championship hopes improved dramatically before the Vols’ game against Mississippi State even kicked off on Saturday night in Neyland Stadium.
The odds continued to favor the No. 7 Vols as they beat the Bulldogs 33-14. Tennessee’s upgraded status didn’t just result in the game in Knoxville.
No. 3 Georgia’s 28-10 loss to No. 16 Ole Miss in Oxford earlier in the day would seem to clear the way for the Vols to move up in the College Football Playoff rankings. In the SEC, only Tennessee and Texas have just one loss among teams contending for College Football Playoff positioning.
Tennessee could be as high as fifth in the pending College Football Rankings, which will be announced on Tuesday, after Georgia Tech upset No. 4 Miami 28-23. As for the SEC standings, there are now just three teams with one loss in conference play: Tennessee (8-1, 5-1 in the SEC), Texas (8-1, 4-1) and Texas A&M (7-2, 5-1).
No. 11 Alabama beat No. 15 LSU 42-13, which gives both teams two SEC losses, along with Georgia, Ole Miss and Missouri. That means Tennessee controls its own destiny and would make the SEC Championship Game by beating its remaining SEC opponents: Georgia on Saturday and at Vanderbilt on Nov. 30.
Tennessee beat Mississippi State despite a myriad of injuries. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava didn’t play in the second half. Head coach Josh Heupel said the redshirt freshman was held out for precautionary reasons and will be available against Georgia.
Running back Dylan Sampson left the game in the first half, but returned as the Vols’ primary ball carrier after halftime. Receiver Dont’e Thornton was knocked out of the game against the Bulldogs with an undisclosed injury.
Tennessee will play Georgia at 7:30 EST, UTEP on Nov. 23 at 1:00 EST and Vanderbilt on Nov. 30. The kickoff has not been set. The SEC Championship Game will be held in Atlanta on Dec. 7.
