Tennessee’s 2-0 start to the 2024 season has the Vols’ numbers moving upward in a hurry.
The Vols were the biggest risers in the AP Poll this week with a seven-spot jump to No. 7 in the rankings after defeating then-No. 24 NC State on Saturday in Charlotte. Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is also sitting atop the conference in rushing yards with 256 yards.
Most notably, though, the Vols’ playoff chances from ESPN’s Football Power Index has risen significantly when it comes to early season numbers and rankings.
Tennessee started out the season with a 36.9 percent chance to make the playoffs according to FPI, which was the ninth-highest in the nation. The Vols also had a 2.7 percent chance to win the national championship before the season.
Outscoring their opponents 120-13 through the first two weeks with a Top 25 win, Tennessee’s projection has risen up to 65.3 percent to make the playoffs and 6.8 percent to win the national championship. Tennessee’s playoff odds are the fifth-highest in the nation behind Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State.
Tennessee’s Full ESPN FPI Projections (Sept. 9, 2024)
- FPI Rating: 21.8 (Texas leads at 27.4 for comparison)
- Projected W-L: 9.8-2.4
- Win Out: 3.1%
- Six Wins: 99.9%
- Win Conference: 9.1% (5th highest SEC)
- Playoffs: 65.3% (5th highest overall)
- Make National Championship: 13.9% (5th highest overall)
- Win National Championship: 6.8% (5th highest overall)
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On a quick interesting note, Tennessee’s Week 3 opponent Kent State has the lowest FPI rating of all FBS programs at No. 134 (-24.3 rating).
On3’s Andy Staples also updated his playoff bracket this week. After starting the season with Tennessee as the 11-seed in his preseason projections, Staples has moved Tennessee up to the sixth-seed as the third-highest ranked team from the SEC behind No. 2 Georgia and No. 5 Texas. Staples also has Ole Miss at No. 7, Alabama at No. 8, and Missouri at No. 11.
Tennessee is stealing a lot of headlines around college football this year after just two games. While Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has rightfully taken the majority of the praise, folks are starting to really eye in on the Vols’ defensive prowess. Tennessee’s defense has not allowed an opposing offense into the endzone so far this season as Josh Heupel credits depth, buy-in, and talent for the improvement.
The Vols return to Neyland Stadium this weekend to face Kent State before the SEC slate opens next Saturday night in Oklahoma. Tennessee is a laughable favorite in their game against the Golden Flashes this Saturday as DraftKings opened at a 47.5-point line.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee football coverage this season.
