ESPN CFP analyst explains what a win over Alabama would do for Tennessee Vols' playoff chances

The Tennessee Volunteers have a huge challenge on Saturday, as they travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in a major SEC battle with conference title and College Football Playoff implications on the line.

Speaking of those playoff implications, ESPN's Heather Dinich put out her weekly playoff bubble watch, and the Vols checked on as "on the cusp". Dinich talked about the Vols' resume in the eyes of the committee, and she offered an estimation about what a win over the Crimson Tide would do for Tennessee's expected playoff chances.

Dinich says Tennessee's playoff chances would jump to just over 50% with a win over Alabama

"The Vols have looked like a borderline playoff team against unranked opponents in recent weeks, beating Mississippi State and Arkansas by a combined 10 points with one overtime. Offensively they've been elite, averaging 300 yards passing and 200 rushing per game. Defensively, they need to stop the run to make to challenge in the SEC. They'll have a chance against Alabama on Saturday to further legitimize their hopes. With a win, Tennessee's chances of reaching the playoff would jump to 52%, according to the Allstate Playoff Predictor. Tennessee ranks No. 10 in ESPN's game control metric and No. 19 in strength of record. The Vols are projected in the committee's No. 12 spot this week, which means they would get knocked out of the actual field during the seeding process to make room for the highest-ranked Group of 5 champion. The five highest-ranked conference champions are guaranteed spots in the playoff, so if the fifth team is ranked outside of the committee's top 12, its No. 12 team gets the boot." - Via Heather Dinich, ESPN.com

Tennessee is an 8-point underdog on the road, so Vegas doesn't particularly like their chances at escaping with a win. But far crazier things have happened this year in college football, and former Vols QB Jonathan Crompton likes Tennessee to come away with a win in a shootout over the Crimson Tide.

And while Tennessee's defense has been leaky, their offense has shown it's capable of putting up big points on anyone when they're on their game. Even in Tuscaloosa, they have the horses to keep Tennessee in just about any game.

It's a game that will make or break the season for many Vol fans, but even if they get it done, the experts give UT basically a coin flip's chance of presumably getting to 10-2 to make the field.

Such is life in the SEC.