Against Georgia, Tennessee lost their second season of the Year are their Play off hopes done.
The No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers (6-2, 5-2 SEC) dropped 31-17 to the No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs (8-2, 6-2 SEC) in Week 12, maybe acting as a de facto College Football Playoffs elimination game
Does this loss extinguish the Vols’ College Football Playoff hopes?The No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers (6-2, 5-2 SEC) dropped 31-17 to the No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs (8-2, 6-2 SEC) in Week 12, maybe acting as a de facto College Football Playoffs elimination game.
Does this loss extinguish the Vols’ College Football Playoff hopes?
Nothing is set in stone for any program at this time because it is uncertain how the CFP committee will rank teams. With two losses, Tennessee now joins a congested field of SEC clubs, but the 12-team field can only hold so many positions.
The Vols had an opportunity to exact revenge for a previous defeat to Arkansas and secure their spot in the SEC Championship Game. But Georgia continued to dominate the rivalry, defeating Tennessee for the seventh time in a row, a feat head coach Josh Heupel has not yet accomplished since coming to Knoxville.
A rush of blame and sadness for what started as a promising season accompany this setback. However, who is at fault? Let’s examine.
Tennessee’s defense falters against Georgia
Praised all season for its standout defensive performances, Tennessee’s defense delivered its worst showing of the year when it mattered most against Georgia. Before Week 12, the Vols hadn’t allowed more than 19 points in a single game. That narrative crumbled in their matchup with the Bulldogs.
The 31 points Tennessee gave up included two passing and two running touchdowns, both of which were defense-firsts for the season. They also surrendered season-highs of 25 first downs and 453 total yards. The Vols’ defeat to Arkansas was the last time they let up more than 400 yards of offense. The fact that Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, who came into the game with the most turnovers in the SEC over the previous four weeks, did not commit one was even more unexpected. Instead, he completed 25 of 40 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing), displaying the poise that once made him a projected first-round NFL pick. Arian Smith’s fumble in the second quarter cost Tennessee their only turnover opportunity, but Georgia bounced back and scored six plays later to increase their lead to 14–10.
Arian Smith’s fumble in the second quarter cost Tennessee their only turnover opportunity, but Georgia bounced back and scored six plays later to increase their lead to 14–10.
Nothing is set in stone for any program at this time because it is uncertain how the CFP committee will rank teams. With two losses, Tennessee now joins a congested field of SEC clubs, but the 12-team field can only hold so many positions. The Vols had an opportunity to exact revenge for a previous defeat to Arkansas and secure their spot in the SEC Championship Game. But Georgia continued to dominate the rivalry, defeating Tennessee for the seventh time in a row, a feat head coach Josh Heupel has not yet accomplished since coming to Knoxville. A rush of blame and sadness for what started as a promising season accompany this setback. However, who is at fault? Let’s examine. The defense of Tennessee struggles against.
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