For the first time in two decades, I’ve found myself having to do the championship math for college football. During the doldrums of being a Vol fan and never having to worry about final polls, I had forgotten how exciting this nonsense is.

Last week, the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee debuted its rankings for 2022 and the Vols were ranked No. 1. If that was a surprise to some who thought Georgia, the reigning national champions who haven’t lost this year, was No. 1, you’re not alone. In the AP and coaches polls, the Bulldogs at the top, while the Vols had surged to a tie for second (in the AP) and third (in the coach poll). 

All that was rendered moot when Georgia thoroughly handled the Vols between the hedges, but if you think it dampened Tennessee’s chances of winning a title, think again. The championship picture only got fuzzier Saturday.

First, Notre Dame came out of nowhere to smack Clemson 35-14 in South Bend. The Fightin’ Irish, who had started the season with back-to-back losses to Ohio State (respectable) and Marshall (extremely questionable), pretty much ended any chance of an ACC team making the playoff by ruining the Tigers’ shaky, but formerly perfect record. 

Before the night ended, another perennial playoff powerhouse was done too. Alabama, present in 7-of-8 CFP brackets and the all-time leader in playoff wins, lost in OT in the Bayou. LSU used a gutsy 2-point conversion call in OT to hand the Crimson Tide their second loss and stole their RSVP card for any future playoff considerations.

By the time the dust settled, there were only four Power 5 teams still unbeaten: Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan and TCU. And here’s where the fun starts for the Vols – they can still break into that top four, but they’ll need some help.

It won’t be a hard ask though. For starters, Tennessee already knows one of the top-four teams will lose soon. Ohio State and Michigan are set to play Nov. 21 in what is likely a defacto elimination game. It’s possible the loser could still edge Tennessee with a tremendous 1-loss resume, but it feels unlikely.

The Vols also probably need to be rooting for the other UT – Texas – this weekend. If the Longhorns can beat the Horned Frogs (and they’re currently favored by a touchdown), Tennessee could be back in the top four just a week after its first loss. 

Of course, the Pac-12 champ could loom, as will some unknown challenger that will get hot in November (like LSU). Is your head hurting yet? Mine is.

Positions will keep swapping over the next month as more upsets happen, but at least it’s fun to be in the conversation. It’s been 20 years since the Vols even got a casual mention this late.