Avert your eyes, SEC haters, because Week 10 is intensely focused on college football's richest conference. In the mid-afternoon, the newly crowned No. 1...
Tennessee Deserves No. 1 Spot in CFP Rankings, but Georgia Clash Will Define Season
Nov 2, 2022
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 24: Jalin Hyatt #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 38-33. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
There is also an expiration date on that celebration.
And it's probably, oh, Nov. 2.
In reality, the only immediate thing that matters for the Volunteers is whether they defeat the third-ranked Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday in Athens. Because, my friends, the poll is certain to change next Tuesday, and that No. 1 status will be much less significant if UT loses.
Tennessee is still the underdog, the program that hasn't won a conference title in 24 years. The burden of proof remains on the Vols, and no reasonable person would argue that outlook.
Simultaneously, both the metrics and eye test agree that none of the other five undefeated teams can present a stronger case than Tennessee to stand atop the rankings right now.
Tennessee is 8-0 with marquee victories over sixth-ranked Alabama and No. 10 LSU. Georgia has a lone ranked win against No. 8 Oregon, as do both Ohio State and Michigan opposite No. 15 Penn State.
Clemson boasts three Top 25 wins (No. 20 Syracuse, No. 21 Wake Forest and No. 22 NC State), and TCU has a pair (No. 13 Kansas State and No. 18 Oklahoma State). However, neither one has dominated games like UT did at LSU—or even against 5-3 Kentucky.
Ranked opponents aren't the only impactful games, of course; Tennessee's total strength of schedule (19th) is well above OSU (52nd), TCU (63rd), Clemson (72nd), UGA (75th) and U-M (79th).
CFP Chair Boo Corrigan on a media teleconference says cases were made in the room for each Ohio State, Georgia and Tennessee to be No. 1.
Vols were No. 1 because of their "impressive road win" at LSU and their win over Alabama, "a team that the committee respects very highly."
Considering that highest competition level, what the Vols have accomplished is unmatched. The overwhelming offense—led by Heisman Trophy contender Hendon Hooker—is the nation's highest-scoring unit. Alabama kept it close, but Tennessee hung 52 points on the Tide anyway.
Now, I hear you, Dawgs fans. You might be trying to throw the proverbial ace in the hole.
Georgia won last season's national title and remains undefeated. Shouldn't that count for something?
Well, no! Last year is last year. Tennessee has played a tougher schedule so far and performed tremendously against that difficult slate. The rankings are a reflection of what's already occurred, not what happened in a previous season or might soon.
The takeaway is simple: Go prove it again.
That's what it's all about, right? Georgia, which steamrolled what has become a high-quality Oregon team, is favored to beat Tennessee. Do that, and—voila!—the Dawgs immediately become the team indisputably deserving to sit atop the rankings throne.
As always, these rankings will work themselves out. The on-field impact of this initial poll is very minimal.
Sure, Georgia may have a little extra motivation to beat Tennessee. You know UGA coach Kirby Smart and his staff are ready to sprinkle in the message that the reigning champs are being disrespected.
Kirby Smart fervently showing the College Football Playoff rankings to his team pic.twitter.com/qzylpzq3sX
But it's not like Georgia wouldn't have been adequately motivated if the Vols had been ranked second or third instead. Let's be serious here.
Off the field, it would be unfair to suggest the ranking means nothing for Tennessee. This is a quality selling point for the recruiting trail, where prospects are destined to hear how Tennessee has proved it can reach No. 1. The future value of that for the program—considering its recent instability—should not be dismissed.
Maximizing that pitch, however, involves an actual win over UGA. Tennessee hasn't done that since 2016.
Georgia, meanwhile, is a not-so-simple victory away from a straightforward counterargument: Yeah, the Vols had a breakout year, but they couldn't beat us. We're still the champs.
This is a nice achievement for the Vols, but the debate will be settled Saturday. Either the Vols take another step toward the College Football Playoff, or Georgia's reign in the SEC East continues.
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KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 24: Hendon Hooker #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers looks to throw against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 38-33. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is no longer the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.
Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker has taken over as the betting favorite to win college football's most prestigious award with -110 odds, per DraftKings SportsBook.
Here's a look at the top 10:
Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee: -110
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State: +160
Caleb Williams, QB, USC: +1600
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan: +1800
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon: +2200
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama: +2200
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee: +3000
Max Duggan, QB, TCU: +3000
Chase Brown, RB, Illinois: +3500
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama: +4000
Hooker has been one of the most impressive quarterbacks in college football this season.
The 24-year-old entered Saturday's game against Kentucky having completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 2,093 yards and 18 touchdowns against one interception in seven games. He has also rushed for 315 yards and three scores on 63 carries.
Stroud has very similar passing numbers through seven games with the Buckeyes. He has completed 70 percent of his passes for 2,023 yards and 28 touchdowns against four interceptions.
At this point, it's a little too early to say who might win the Heisman, but Hooker is giving Stroud a run for his money.
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Hendon Hooker, Tennessee Hyped as CFP Contenders After Alabama Upset in Epic Game
Oct 16, 2022
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws to a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee is suddenly a legitimate national title contender after their shocking 52-49 win over No. 3 Alabama.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker needed just 15 seconds to drive 45 yards to set up the game-winning 40-yard field goal as time expired.
After the thrilling victory, fans called the Volunteers one of the best teams in college football.
The high-scoring battle represented a showcase for several offensive players, some of them boosting their Heisman Trophy profile in the highly anticipated game.
Hooker especially impressed against a loaded Alabama defense with 385 passing yards and 56 rushing yards, connecting with receiver Jalin Hyatt for five touchdowns.
This is unreal what Hooker is doing . This is Alabama . Has 4 TD passes already . Kid lit up LSU in Baton Rouge Lit Floridas D . The kid is a star that doesn't get enough love #CFB
Not to be outdone, reigning Heisman winner Bryce Young totaled 455 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Of course, the most impressive player on Alabama's offense was arguably running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who tallied 151 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.
Fans were drooling over the versatile runner's highlights during the game:
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