Tennessee football can still make CFP: How Vols can be assured a spot

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Nov 19, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs place kicker Griffin Kell (39) and his teammates celebrate the victory over the Baylor Bears after Kell kicks the game winning field goal against the Bears as time expires at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

3. TCU loses to Iowa State and Big 12 Championship

Here’s the first team that Tennessee football needs to lose both of its next two games. If the TCU Horned Frogs lose just one of them, the Vols are likely out, as they need to leapfrog TCU. Honestly, it makes that win over the Baylor Bears last weekend even more gut-wrenching.

Sonny Dykes’ team has been on a magical undefeated run and is holding firm at No. 4 in the CFP. A win this weekend will likely propel them to No. 3. The Iowa State Cyclones would seem like they have no chance. After all, they are visiting TCU and come in with a 4-7 record, having lost seven of their past eight games after starting 3-0.

However, they have lost six of their seven games by one score, and three have been within a field goal. Simply put, they have been in every game, and TCU has been playing with fire, almost losing every week. As a result, it’s more possible than you think that they lose this one.

Should that happen, they will still play for the Big 12 Championship. The Vols need them to lose that one too, whether it’s to the Kansas State Wildcats or the Texas Longhorns. Unfortunately for UT, that wouldn’t remove any doubt, as TCU would have the same number of losses while playing an extra game. However, the Vols would likely have the stronger case.

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