With the 2025 College Football Playoffs bracket set, there have now been 64 teams since the advent of the CFP to have been named to the playoffs. In anticipation of this year’s 12-team field, ESPN has ranked every team to get the nod to play in the event. This includes Tennessee’s 2024 squad that fell in the first round at Ohio State.
Featuring 40 teams to make the four-team playoff and 24 to make the 12-team version, the Vols clock in at No. 51 on the list. This is slotted right behind this year’s Texas A&M team, Florida State’s 2014 squad and Notre Dame’s 2018 group.
The position is also ahead of 2024 Arizona State, this year’s Miami, 2024 Indiana, 2020 Notre Dame, 2019 Oklahoma, this year’s Oklahoma, this year’s Alabama, 2015 Michigan State, this year’s JMU, 2024 Boise State, 2024 SMU, 2024 Clemson and finally this year’s Tulane.
“Despite Josh Heupel’s offensive tendencies, his Vols reached the CFP in 2024 by fielding their best defense since 1999,” ESPN’s Bill Connelly wrote. “They ran the ball well, defended the run better than anyone and rode a home win over Alabama to a playoff berth. Unfortunately, their limitations were made clear in Columbus. They punted three straight times to start the game, found themselves quickly down 21-0 and couldn’t recover.”
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As the 9-seed in the playoffs following a 10-2 (6-2 SEC) record, Tennessee was tasked with heading to Ohio State. Though Vol fans did their part and completely took over the stadium, the team fell completely flat in the cold. The Buckeyes won the game 41-17 en route to winning the national title.
Nico Iamaleava was the quarterback for Tennessee that season. In the loss, he completed just 14-of-31 passes for 104 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. He also ran for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Instead, UT’s offensive star was Dylan Sampson that season. However, as he battled injury, he recorded just two carries for six yards and one reception for two yards in the loss.
What got the Vols to the playoffs was one of the best defenses in the country. However, the group couldn’t limit Will Howard, TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins, Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate and company, who produced a total of 473 yards in the game.
