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College Football Playoff Rankings Ahead of Week 14 Keep Vols in Top 25 at No. 22

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 26, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee wide receiver Josh Malone (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amy Smotherman Burgess/Knoxville News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 26, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee wide receiver Josh Malone (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amy Smotherman Burgess/Knoxville News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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The Tennessee Volunteers came in at No. 22 in the College Football Playoff rankings ahead of conference championship week, remaining in the Top 25.

It looks like a New Year’s Day caliber bowl game could still be in the works for the Tennessee Vols. That’s if you factor in the College Football Playoff rankings heading into Week 14.

Tennessee came in at No. 22 in this week’s rankings. They were fifth among SEC teams, behind the Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida Gators, Auburn Tigers, and LSU Tigers.

However, with Auburn and LSU not playing another game, just like the Vols, any chance at the Sugar Bowl is clearly out of the question now.

Related Story: Week 13 SEC, New Year's Six, and CFP Bowl Projections

The more likely outcome is either the Music City Bowl, the TaxSlayer Bowl, or the Outback Bowl.

Currently, the College Football Playoff scenario has Alabama at No. 1, and in a wave of controversy, placed the Ohio State Buckeyes No. 2. That comes even as the Buckeyes will be sitting at home this weekend during the conference championship games.

At No. 3 is the Clemson Tigers, and the Washington Huskies are No. 4.

In another wave of controversy, the two-loss Michigan Wolverines come in at No. 5, ahead of the two-loss Wisconsin Badgers and Penn State Nittany Lions, even though Wisconsin and Penn State are playing for the Big Ten Championship.

However, it should be noted that Michigan beat both teams.

As a result, the field for what happens this weekend is wide open in terms of the Big Ten team coming out. Four teams all have legitimate hope at getting in.

The Colorado Buffaloes come in at No. 8, the Oklahoma Sooners are No. 9, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys are No. 10.

Although all three teams are playing for a chance to win their conference this weekend and also have two losses, it’s impossible to envision a scenario where any of them can make it to No. 4.

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