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Loss to Georgia now has Tennessee football projected for underwhelming bowl game

We can only hope this doesn't prove to be the case for the Vols.
ByBraulio Perez|
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel communicates with an official during the third quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel communicates with an official during the third quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. | Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

If anything, a lot of people think that the Tennessee football loss to Georgia in Week 3 showcased to everyone in the country that the Vols can hang with any team out there. Tennessee was a play or two away from posting an incredible upset, but it wasn't meant to be.

However, not everyone thinks the Vols have what it takes to get back to the College Football Playoff for the second time in program history. This week, On3's Brett McMurphy came out with his latest bowl projections for this winter, and he indeed doesn't have the Vols being CFP-bound. Instead, he has Josh Heupel and Co. playing in the...Reliaquest Bowl against Nebraska:

Joey Aguilar flies up the QB rankings after putting on a show vs. Georgia

Tennessee football still has what it takes to get back to the College Football Playoff

With the greatest of respect for Matt Rhule and the Huskers, a storied school and football team, playing Nebraska in the Reliaquest Bowl would be a disappointing end to the season. Tennessee has what it takes to keep things rocking and push for a CFP berth.

It's going to take some head-turning wins later this year, though. At the top of the list in terms of big-time games has got to be the Oct. 18 showdown in Tuscaloosa against Alabama. With a loss, Tennessee will likely see its chances of making the CFP take a swan dive.

With a win, however, it will likely push Alabama out after the Crimson Tide opened the season with a loss to Florida State on the road. Should that happen, Kalen DeBoer's seat is going to be sizzling hot once again, as fans are losing patience with him.

The Vols also can't afford an Arkansas-type loss like they posted in 2024 too. Heupel is going to make sure his guys are beyond focused the rest of the way. Had Tennessee beaten Georgia, the Reliaquest Bowl wouldn't even be on the radar for the SEC powerhouse. It is now, though, per McMurphy, but that can't be how things shape out for the Vols. It's CFP or bust, especially with Joey Aguilar looking like one of the top quarterbacks in the conference.

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