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Tennessee football secures College Football Playoff home game with dominant win

By Colton Pickard

Nov 30, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (1) celebrates his touchdown with his teammates against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Nov 30, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (1) celebrates his touchdown with his teammates against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Tennessee football is back in the win column with its 36-23 win over Vanderbilt. Despite the final score, the game was dominated by Tennessee after a slow start. 

The Vols quickly faced a 14-0 deficit after giving up the opening kickoff for a touchdown and a Dylan Sampson fumble on the first offensive drive of the game. Vanderbilt followed that up with a quick score, and it looked like Tennessee was ready to play itself out of the College Football Playoff. 

Nico Iamaleava and the Tennessee offense proceeded to take the game over and show Vanderbilt and the country why Tennessee should be considered one of the best teams in the country and deserve to host a College Football Playoff game. 

Nico put together one of the best games of the season and his best performance against an SEC opponent since he arrived on Rocky Top last year. He finished the game throwing for 257 yards and four touchdowns. It's the most passing yards and touchdowns Nico has had in a conference game as he and the Vols offense warm up at the right time. 

The Vols offense also played with a chip on its shoulder and had some confidence throughout the game after the slow start. It originated from Nico and carried the Tennessee offense throughout the game, which outscored Vandy 36-9 in the final 55 minutes of the game. 

It looks like the Vols have put themselves in a prime position to host a Playoff game in the first year of the 12-team CFP. Tennessee will host a team in Neyland Stadium in the first round of the Playoff after Ohio State lost to Michigan on Saturday afternoon. 

Between Ohio State's loss, Clemson's loss, Georgia's close win, and the Texas-Texas A&M game, the Vols could welcome a team into Neyland with a national title on the line. 

We don't know who or where the Vols will line up after conference championship weekend, but it looks like Tennessee could host anyone from Ohio State if they lose the Big Ten Championship to a three-loss SEC team or Indiana. 

Seeing where the Vols land in the CFP rankings will be exciting. With Tennessee's win, Vol Nation can sit back, relax, and watch another chaotic weekend of college football, knowing they are locked into the CFP with a likely home game on deck in the 12-team CFP.

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