For Tennessee football, the thrill of making the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the first time in program history has been tempered by the harsh reality of their path to a national championship. The Volunteers, who earned the No. 3 seed in the four-team playoff, face what is widely regarded as the toughest road to the title in the CFP era. This reality has sparked criticism of the playoff selection process, with many arguing that a flawed system unfairly penalized Tennessee despite their historic season.
Tennessee’s journey to the playoff was nothing short of remarkable. Under head coach Josh Heupel, the Volunteers finished the season 11-1 and secured the SEC Championship with a convincing win over Alabama. The Vols’ only loss, a close defeat to Florida early in the season, was offset by signature victories over Georgia and Texas A&M, both of which bolstered their playoff resume.
Yet, when the final rankings were revealed, Tennessee found themselves sandwiched between No. 2 Michigan and No. 4 Ohio State, setting up a daunting semifinal matchup against No. 2 Michigan in the Rose Bowl. Should the Volunteers defeat the Wolverines, they would likely face No. 1 seed Washington in the championship game—a team that has remained unbeaten and features a Heisman-caliber quarterback in Michael Penix Jr.
Critics of the CFP selection process argue that Tennessee deserved a more favorable path based on their performance. The Vols won arguably the toughest conference in college football, the SEC, and defeated multiple Top 10 opponents along the way. Meanwhile, Michigan cruised through a relatively weak Big Ten schedule, and Washington benefited from playing in the less competitive Pac-12.
Despite this, the selection committee’s emphasis on overall records and strength of schedule placed Michigan ahead of Tennessee in the rankings, forcing the Vols into a matchup against a team that has made three consecutive playoff appearances.
“It’s frustrating to see Tennessee punished for playing in a tougher conference and beating tougher opponents,” said one analyst. “The Vols did everything the committee asked for—playing a tough schedule, winning their conference, and excelling in marquee matchups—yet they’re being treated like an underdog.”
The CFP’s reliance on subjective criteria such as “eye test” and conference strength has long been a point of contention among fans and analysts. While the committee claims to value conference championships and quality wins, the rankings often suggest otherwise.
In Tennessee’s case, their SEC title and resume of quality wins seemingly took a back seat to Michigan’s unbeaten record. Meanwhile, Washington’s perfect season and weaker schedule earned them the No. 1 seed, effectively giving them an easier path to the title game.
This inconsistency has reignited calls for a more objective approach to playoff rankings, such as expanded use of advanced metrics or a move to a 12-team playoff system, which is set to debut in 2025.
Despite the challenges ahead, Tennessee players and coaches remain focused on the task at hand. Quarterback Joe Milton III, who has been the heart and soul of the team, emphasized the importance of staying locked in.
“We know what we’re capable of,” Milton said. “It doesn’t matter who we play or where we play. We’re ready to prove we belong here.”
Head coach Josh Heupel echoed those sentiments, stating that Tennessee’s success this season is a testament to the program’s resilience and determination.
“Our players have worked too hard to let outside noise affect us,” Heupel said. “We embrace the challenge, and we’ll be ready for Michigan.
Tennessee’s situation highlights the broader issues with the CFP system, which often leaves deserving teams facing unnecessarily steep paths to a title. While the expanded playoff format in 2025 will provide more opportunities for teams to compete, it remains to be seen whether it will address the fundamental flaws in the selection process.
For now, Tennessee fans can take solace in knowing that their team has already achieved something historic. The Vols have returned to the national spotlight, proving they can compete with the best.
However, the toughest challenge lies ahead, and if Tennessee is to hoist the national championship trophy, they’ll have to do it the hard way. If they succeed, it will be a testament to the team’s grit, determination, and ability to rise above a flawed system that has placed them at the center of one of the most difficult playoff paths in history.