ESPN explains why the Tennessee Vols won't host a College Football Playoff game at Neyland Stadium

Unless the College Football Playoff selection committee has a change of heart, it's unlikely that the Tennessee Vols will host a playoff game in Neyland Stadium. 

ESPN's Heather Dinich, who has covered the selection committee for the last several weeks, thinks that Tennessee will be the No. 9 seed in the playoff bracket and will face the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus in the first round. 

Tennessee has a great win against Alabama (a team that has a win against Georgia) while Ohio State has wins against Penn State and Indiana. Neither Penn State or Indiana has a marquee win. 

According to Dinich, Tennessee's road loss at night to Arkansas combined with Ohio State's two "statement wins" (which, again, is a weird way to describe two wins against teams that have beat....nobody) is what's going to keep the Vols from hosting a playoff game. 

"Tennessee's résumé is highlighted by its win against Alabama, but it doesn't have two statement wins that compare with Ohio State's," wrote Dinich. "Tennessee's road loss to unranked Arkansas (6-6) is another factor that will keep the Vols from hosting a home game."

(It's worth pointing out that Ohio State's home loss to Michigan is a worse loss than Tennessee's road loss at night against Arkansas.) 

It feels like a lot of teams in the playoff picture are getting the benefit of the doubt -- such as Texas and Penn State (two teams that haven't proved they can beat a playoff caliber team) -- while Tennessee is getting treated like a second rate SEC program. 

Ultimately, though, the Vols will have to accept their fate and get ready to play -- whether it's in Knoxville, Columbus, Austin, or State College.