Rick Neuheisel said he thinks Tennessee will make the College Football Playoff.

The CBS analyst also told the Knoxville Quarterback Club earlier this week that he spoke with the intent of bringing optimism.

So does Neuheisel really believe the Vols will make the 12-team field? Or was he just trying to boost the morale of the Vol Nation?

The CFB Selection Committee’s reveal Tuesday night has Tennessee ranked No. 11 but as the first team out, behind two teams that could win their conference and get automatic bids.

Is Tennessee’s chance of making the CFB dead?

No.

Are the Vols on life support?

Maybe.

Tennessee (8-2, 5-2, SEC) is barely breathing. It needs help. It’s on a ventilator.

The Vols 31-17 loss at Georgia on Saturday was damaging but not devasting.

Two things you can bank on each fall: leaves changing and teams choking.

You will probably see more upsets in college football in November than any other month.

Why?

Pressure to win. The higher the stakes, the greater the pucker factor.

And injuries. Good teams with the best depth usually survive November.

But a key injury to a quarterback or running back or cornerback could prove fatal. Just ask Florida State.

Tennessee has good depth on defense, but not offense.

It is also relatively healthy. But it doesn’t have enough quality wins to qualify for a playoff as of now.

The best win is over Alabama. UT has no other wins against an opponent with a winning record.

The CFP has seven at-large bids. As of now, the Big Ten will get three. Notre Dame has one.

That leaves three with six SEC teams contending: Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M.

So how can the Vols make the playoffs?

If UT wins out, and any two or three of these things happen, the Vols likely are in:

• The ACC and Big 12 get just one spot.

• Notre Dame loses to Army or USC.

• Florida beats Ole Miss

• Auburn beats Alabama.

• Texas gets trounced by Texas A&M.

• Ohio State beats Indiana by more than three touchdowns.

Indiana is an interesting case. The Hoosiers’ strength of schedule is ranked No. 106. It doesn’t have a win over a ranked team. It barely beat mediocre Michigan.

While the committee has said strength of schedule matters, there’s no proof of that.

The committee obviously values wins over a tough schedule.

If Indiana played Georgia’s schedule, would the Hoosiers be any better than 7-3?

Probably not.

But the committee doesn’t care.

Maybe it will factor in SOS if it has five two-loss teams to consider.

From Tennessee’s perspective, the Vols only care about getting in the field.

If the Big 12 and ACC get just one team, Notre Dame loses and Indiana gets routed, that opens up five at-large spots.

That would be enough for the Vols to play Dec. 20 or 21.