Georgia linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson and defensive lineman Tramel Walthour celebrate after sacking Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker. Brianna Paciorka / USA TODAY NETWORK

Tennessee may have played itself out of the CFP after loss to Georgia

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 11/5/22

With the Associated Press' No. 1 Georgia shutting down the College Football Playoff's No. 1 Tennessee, the Bulldogs took a serious bite out of the Volunteers' playoff hopes.

FINAL: No. 3 Georgia 27, No. 1 Tennessee 13.

Quite the deceiving final score. That was a butt kicking.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 5, 2022

It's been a long day for the Tennessee offense pic.twitter.com/6uSrpKIMOC
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 5, 2022

Tennessee (8-1, 4-1 in SEC) entered the week in a prime position to make the playoff with or without a win over the Bulldogs. The prevailing notion was that the game between two No. 1 ranked teams would be a classic between two heavyweights.

The Volunteers turned out to be paperweights.

The loss puts Tennessee in a perilous position, needing help to finish in the top four.

Oregon vs. Georgia: 3 points.

Oregon vs. in 8 games since: 48.1 PPG.

Tennessee through first 8 games: 49.4 points.

Tennessee vs. Georgia (w/ 9 minutes left): 6 points.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 5, 2022

Georgia (9-0, 6-0 in SEC) made Oregon's offense look similarly inept in its season opener. The Ducks will likely have a Pac-12 Championship Game to add to their resume while Tennessee will be at home the first Saturday of December barring a Georgia collapse down the stretch.

Tennessee will likely need losses from Oregon, TCU, Clemson and Alabama down the stretch to qualify (Ohio State or Michigan is guaranteed a loss when the two teams meet).

Tennessee is eliminated from CFP contention unless:

1.) Alabama fails to win SEC.

AND

2.) 3 out of 4 among Michigan, Ohio State, Clemson, and TCU drop a game.
— Marc Ryan (@MarcRyanOnAir) November 5, 2022

The season is by no means over for Tennessee. The loss to Georgia doesn't erase all the good things the team did to get to this point, but the Volunteers are no longer in control of their destiny.

Tennessee needs help to make the playoff. It will be hard to find volunteers.

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