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The Tennessee Volunteers got a raw deal in 2024, and that's been implicitly acknowledged with a major college football playoff change being implemented for 2025.
The College Football Playoff committee will know do away with the top four conference champions automatically getting top four seeds and instead will simply rank them as they did all year. The playoff committee both ranked and seeded teams separately to account for the conference champions being in the top four. Now, you can throw that adjustment out.
That's something that ESPN's Matt Barrie and Paul Finebaum discussed on Sportscenter this week. Barrie mentioned Tennessee as one of the teams who would have benefitted from the new rule in 2025 last season.
"In the new seeding, Texas gets a bye, Tennessee - benefits another SEC team - they would have hosted a playoff game," Barrie said while looking at the altered 2024 rankings using the 2025 format. "So, it's going on your ranking instead of your conference championship victory."
"Of course it makes sense, because we said this countless times on your podcast, Matt, how convoluted the system was, that schools that did not deserve a home first round bye getting one," Finebaum, responded. "Quite frankly there's been a lot of criticism of the SEC and what (SEC Commissioner Greg) Sankey said, but the SEC would have gotten 6 teams in the straight seeding model. "But right now, no matter what the SEC and Big Ten say, the rest of college football is going to come after them because they really are deeply concerned that they are going to be left behind."
Indeed, that seeding tweak is what dramatically altered the Vols' 2024 season in December. Tennessee checked in at 7 in the final CFP rankings but fell to the ninth seed after conference champions ranked lower than them bumped them down two spots.
Instead of a home game at Neyland Stadium against a much more beatable SMU team, the Vols took to the road at eventual national champion Ohio State in frigid temperatures, which resulted in a 42-17 blowout loss. A playoff win, and we're talking about a far different view of the 2024 season and the entire Tennessee program going into 2025, even after the loss of QB Nico Iamaleava to the transfer portal.
It's going to be a steep climb to get back to the playoffs in 2025, but at least Tennessee knows they won't be unfairly docked if they get in the same or similar position this season.
Too bad the powers that be didn't come to the same conclusion last offseason.
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Years Ago, There Was a Dangerous Herpes Outbreak At WWE NXT
In WWE, there are times when an outbreak of certain diseases occurs. It can happen in gyms and athletic environments. The goal for every sports organization is to keep everyone safe. Well, in WWE years ago, it was revealed that there was a severe outbreak that happened in NXT. The outbreak that occurred involved a disease called Herpes. How Did This Herpes Outbreak Get Revealed? This bit of information was revealed by former WWE superstars Mandy Rose and Tino Sabbatelli. Both have their own podcast titled the “Power Alphas” podcast. They are a real-life married couple and always tell stories about their careers in pro wrestling and their current lives. In their latest episode, Rose and Sabbatelli discussed an outbreak during their days wrestling in WWE’s NXT brand. Rose said the following quote regarding that situation: “Then we had to clean the rings in NXT, because there was a herpes outbreak. I don’t even know if everyone knows that one. Remember Daria (Sonya Deville) had the Ninja Turtles thing on with the vacuum. I think this is the beautiful thing, too, that I get why they do this for most people, as well as because there’s always, you know, a bottom. You always have to work your way out. But things have changed a lot in WWE.” Sabbatelli in the podcast did not even want to be reminded of that situation, and it reminded him of an awkward time. Nobody should blame him because Herpes is no joke whatsoever. In fact, as of 2025, there is no cure for Herpes. The Wrestlers Also Had To Clean the Rings As Well The wrestlers themselves had to wrestle in those rings while the outbreak was going on. They would then have to clean them in the aftermath of their training. It is crazy to think that WWE forced the wrestlers themselves to clean the rings during the outbreak, but it was a move for the new trainees to pay their dues in the business. Rose believed there was another reason why WWE forced the wrestlers to clean the rings. They wanted them to be humbled as well. Final Thoughts It must have been a super scary time for everyone involved in NXT during that time. With the outbreak going on, everybody had to be safe when getting into the ring. It is more stunning that this outbreak never got reported or revealed while it was going on. This was not the news WWE needed after the solid Triplemania XXXIII show that happened last night. WWE did its best to keep it a secret, and it took many years before one person spoke up about it. Ironically, the person who first spoke on this was Rose, who left WWE on bad terms. This situation is terrifying, and thank goodness WWE got the outbreak cleared up. This situation could have been far worse.
Dallas Cowboys' top-rated players for NFL preseason Week 2 vs. Ravens
A 31-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens dropped the Dallas Cowboys to 0-2 this preseason. While the records don't matter, it's still unsettling to see the Cowboys lose a game in such fashion. As was the case in their Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Cowboys were bullied at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. They also saw quarterback Joe Milton III continue to struggle with accuracy. The good news, however, was that several players stood out with solid individual play. Here's a look at which Cowboys graded the highest on offense and defense, according to PFF. Cowboys top-5 rated players on offense Princeton Fant, TE (83.4) Malik Davis, RB (74.6) Jonathan Mingo, WR (70.3) Deuce Vaughn, RB (67.1) John Stephens Jr., TE (66.2) The offense was responsible for just six points, but there were still some bright spots. Princeton Fant had a 33-yard reception and held his own in blocking. Malik Davis showed some burst when he was on the field, and Jonathan Mingo had an excellent catch to set up a field goal. Unfortunately, Mingo was injured on the play but has been one of the bright spots throughout the offseason. Cowboys top-5 rated players on defense Andrew Booth, CB (91.8) Troy Pride Jr., CB (83.8) Jack Sanborn, LB (79.2) Earnest Brown IV, DT (76.7) Kemon Hall, CB (75.6) Andrew Booth not only led the way on defense, but was the highest-graded player on the team. Two other cornerbacks, Troy Pride Jr. and Kemon Hall, made it into the top five as well. Linebacker Jack Sanborn and defensive tackle Earnest Brown IV were there as well. Sanborn had three tackles while Brown recorded two. —
TSN Analyst Shoots Down Bold Canadiens-Ducks Trade Idea
Speculation swirled this week about a possible blockbuster trade between the Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks, but TSN/Forbes legal analyst Eric Macramalla was quick to pour cold water on the idea. The proposed deal centered around swapping top prospects: Montreal defenseman David Reinbacher and Anaheim forward Mason McTavish. On the surface, the trade has appeal. Reinbacher, a right-shot blueliner with legitimate top-pairing potential, would give the Ducks the kind of defensive cornerstone they’ve been searching for. Meanwhile, McTavish could provide the Canadiens with a much-needed second-line center behind Nick Suzuki, filling a hole that’s lingered for several seasons. But as Macramalla pointed out, the trade simply doesn’t add up for Montreal. Moving Reinbacher would leave the Canadiens dangerously thin on the right side of their defense, an area that already lacks long-term depth. While McTavish would be a strong addition, sacrificing a potential top-pairing defenseman is a price too steep for GM Kent Hughes to consider at this stage of the rebuild. Ultimately, while the concept may generate fan debate, Macramalla stressed that the Canadiens aren’t in a position to weaken their blue line just to address their center depth. For now, the deal “won’t work.” Fan Feedback: A Split Reaction Canadiens fans were quick to weigh in on the trade chatter, with opinions ranging from firm rejection to cautious interest. Some backed Macramalla’s stance, with one fan suggesting Montreal could use “other assets the Ducks would like” and another noting the Habs’ young defense core “will be a strength of the team for the next decade.” The Curfew Boys Podcast called it “1 step forward, 2 steps back.” Others saw more merit. One account argued he’d, “Do it one for one,” calling McTavish “more established at this point.” Another echoed that sentiment: “McT is a proven player, make the trade!!” Skeptics highlighted Reinbacher’s lack of NHL experience, and others questioned his durability. Meanwhile, Gord of Thunder took a playful shot at the concept, invoking The Princess Bride: “You never trade a defenseman with top pairing ability for a second line player — it’s inconceivable.” Even creative alternatives emerged, with one fan proposing a three-way deal involving Calgary. The verdict? While many fans respect McTavish’s value, most agree that giving up Reinbacher would leave the Canadiens with a hole too big to fill.
Eagles wide receiver panic meter following trade for John Metchie III
General manager Howie Roseman raised some eyebrows when he added not one, but two tight ends in free agency this offseason. As usual, there was a method to Roseman’s madness. The Philadelphia Eagles made their second trade in two weeks on Sunday, sending tight end Harrison Bryant to the Houston Texans for wide receiver John Metchie III and a swap of Day 3 draft picks. The move makes some sense for Philly’s tight end room, which is more solidified now than it was back in March. With Dallas Goedert’s contract situation now settled, and Kylen Granson seizing the TE3 spot in training camp, Bryant became an expendable trade asset. More intriguing is Philly’s developing situation at wide receiver, which has been unsettled beyond the starters since the start of OTAs. Metchie has untapped potential as a former teammate of DeVonta Smith at Alabama. The Texans made him the No. 44 overall pick in the 2022 draft, but he lost his entire rookie season after being diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. He returned to the field in 2023 and has seen his role grow with the Texans over the past two seasons. Metchie has 40 career receptions in 29 games, and just one career touchdown. He now has a spot on Philly’s wide receiver depth chart for 2025, though, leaving several players in limbo entering Week 3 of the preseason. Which Eagles WRs are safe, panicking with John Metchie III entering the mix? Jahan Dotson panic meter: Low Metchie’s arrival shouldn’t impact Philly’s first-team offense. That includes Dotson, whose role as the WR3 behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith is solidified. Dotson will remain the fifth option in the passing game behind Brown, Smith, tight end Dallas Goedert and running back Saquon Barkley. Johnny Wilson panic meter: Medium Wilson finished 2024 as the Eagles’ No. 4 wide receiver, and there’s no reason to think he won’t resume that role this season. The Eagles like his size as a de facto tight end on the boundary, and he’s an unsung weapon for Barkley in the run game as a blocker. It’s unclear what the Eagles have planned for Metchie out of the chute, but Wilson has a niche role in the offense and shouldn’t be impacted much, if at all. Ainias Smith panic meter: Extremely High Philly’s former fifth-round pick is officially on notice. The Eagles were able to buy themselves some time with Smith last summer by placing him on injured reserve with a designation to return, but his time is running out with Metchie entering as the new WR5. An Eagles team that committed the fewest pass attempts in football last season will need to justify keeping six receivers, and while he’s shown some improvement and scored a TD against Cleveland in Saturday’s preseason game, Smith hasn’t done enough to earn that justification in camp. Darius Cooper panic meter: Moderately High We know the Eagles love Cooper, but the undrafted rookie had a rough game on Saturday vs. the Browns, along with the entire offense. Cooper was targeted on just one of his 13 passing snaps, per Pro Football Focus, and failed to make a catch. It’s not over for the training camp star out of Tarleton State, but the Eagles making a trade for Metchie barely 24 hours after the game is an ominous sign. Terrace Marshall Jr.: Very High Marshall brings some different elements to Philly’s offense with his size and speed, but he was slowed by an injury during training camp and has slipped down the depth chart after a buzzy start. Marshall will have to beat out Cooper between now and cut-down day on Aug. 26 to give himself a shot. Even so, there’s no guarantee the team will have a roster spot for him.
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