Tennessee Vols fall out of bracket in November 19 college football playoff rankings

The Tennessee Volunteers took their medicine from the college football playoff committee on Tuesday night. The Vols fell from 7 last week to 11 in this week’s ranking. As a result, the Vols are the first team out of the playoff bracket at the moment.

It’s not all that surprising of a result. With Ole Miss beating Georgia to go with their South Carolina win (and apparently ignoring their Kentucky home loss) and Georgia knocking off the Vols, Tennessee was always going to slide behind the Dawgs – and because Ole Miss was going to be ahead of UGA, behind the Rebels as well.

What’s particularly notable is Alabama leaping 3 spots up to 7, with Mizzou staying in the rankings at 23 that also helps give the Crimson Tide another ranked win. Despite falling to the Vols 24-17, it seems the committee isn’t going hold the Tide back because of it.

That being said, the path for the Vols to move up just one spot and get in is plausible in a number of respects. The committee doesn’t seem to be a big believer in Indiana still, staying at 5 behind three one loss teams. Lose convincingly at Ohio State, and their triple digit strength of schedule could be enough to drop the Hoosiers out. Also, of course, any losses by Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Alabama, or Penn State would likely be enough for the Vols to pass them up. The Rebels, Crimson Tide, and Nittany Lions play on the road on Saturday, while the Irish get #19 Army in New York.

It would also serve the Vols well if Vanderbilt were able to go into Baton Rouge on Saturday and defeat the Tigers to get to 7-4. The Vols knocking off the Commodores at their best would be optimal in order to make a lasting impression with the selection committee.

A lot of time left, and not the best place to be right now, but it wouldn’t take much for the Vols to be right back in the bracket again.