Tennessee has turned its focus to the playoffs.
Tennessee football didn’t have the start it hoped for on Saturday. Their archrival Vanderbilt quickly jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first five minutes of the game with a touchdown on a kickoff return, followed by a fumble recovery and another score, threatening to derail Tennessee’s season.
However, that momentum didn’t last. Tennessee rebounded strongly for the remainder of the afternoon, swiftly erasing the deficit and taking control of the game. Nico Iamaleava threw four touchdown passes, and the Volunteers dominated at the line of scrimmage, stifling Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt offense in a 36-23 victory.
After the game, cameras captured Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea’s message to Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, as reported by Camille Gear of WBIR Channel 10.
“Great battle, man,” Lea said during the handshake at midfield, according to Gear. “Congratulations and good luck in the playoffs.”
Tennessee entered this week ranked No. 8 in the nation, and this victory should solidify their place in the final 12-team College Football Playoff bracket. With several upsets occurring across the country on Saturday—such as losses by Ohio State and Miami (FL)—Tennessee not only has a strong argument for making the playoffs but could also host a first-round game.
Tennessee in good spot to be playoff sleeper
Tennessee seems to be flying under the radar, but Josh Heupel has one of his strongest teams in Knoxville for 2024. The Volunteers secured their tenth win of the season with a victory over Vanderbilt, which should be sufficient to earn them a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Thanks to a few fortunate developments, Tennessee now has the opportunity to host a first-round playoff game at Neyland Stadium. No team relishes the prospect of traveling to Knoxville to face one of the most intimidating environments in college football during the initial playoff round.
This Tennessee squad possesses more depth to contend with elite teams than in previous years. While Heupel continues to utilize his somewhat unconventional spread offense, the team’s strength lies in their front line.
They have a formidable offensive line that enables them to run the ball effectively, supported by star running back Dylan Sampson, who has been one of the most productive offensive threats in college football. Defensively, they can stop the run and apply pressure on the quarterback, led by standout edge rusher James Pearce Jr.
Tennessee secured a significant win over Alabama and has demonstrated the strength in both lines to compete with traditional powerhouses. If Nico Iamaleava can protect the ball and generate some explosive passing plays, this Tennessee team will be a formidable opponent in December.
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