While we all know that the selection committee will have the final say on the rankings and order for the 12-team college football playoffs, ESPN’s computer-based analytics seem to be higher on the Vols than the group in Grapevine, TX.
We won’t know what the committee’s latest thoughts are until Tuesday night but it’s likely that the Vols will be on the outside looking in based on other expert predictions and the committee’s previous rankings.
ESPN, though, is favorable toward Josh Heupel’s group.
Projecting wins against UTEP and Vanderbilt in the final two games of the regular season, ESPN’s computer-based playoff predictor has Tennessee with an 83% chance of making the playoffs.
The playoff predictor doesn’t have Tennessee with a shot at a first-round bye but does have the Vols with a 28% chance to host a first-round game and a 55% chance to be a first-round visitor, but still in the field of 12.
Again, this is based on projecting that Tennessee wins their final two regular-season games against UTEP and Vanderbilt and does not make the SEC Championship game in Atlanta.
ESPN’s computer-based projection is drawn up from 200,000 simulations.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider on Tuesday night for the third reveal of the college football playoff rankings.
For more on Tennessee’s potential route into the playoffs, click here.
Check out different situations and scenarios with the ESPN playoff predictor for yourself here.
