KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee football fell to No. 11 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, but for the first time this season, the Vols were left off the projected bracket due to No. 14 BYU still projected to win the Big 12 and earn an automatic bid.
The Vols are an overwhelming favorite against UTEP on Senior Day this weekend, and with Tennessee's playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the Vols will need to hold up their end of the bargain against the Miners and against Vanderbilt the following week, but Tennessee fans should have their eyes on some other games this weekend.
#2 Ohio State vs. #5 Indiana (noon)
If Indiana goes on the road and loses big to Ohio State, there is a very good chance Tennessee won't have to worry about the Hoosiers taking up a spot in the bracket next week. If Ohio State gets upset by IU, next Tuesday's bracket reveal would be very interesting as it relates to the Buckeyes' spot in the CFP rankings.
Florida vs. #9 Ole Miss (noon)
The Gators played spoiler against LSU a week ago, so the Vols will look for Florida to turn in a repeat effort and clear the Rebels out of the logjam of two-loss SEC teams in the bottom half of the CFP rankings. Ole Miss taking the L in Gainesville would clear up some room for the Vols to move back up into the bracket.
#6 Notre Dame vs. #19 Army (7 p.m.)
The undefeated Black Knights will be squaring off against the Fighting Irish at Yankee Stadium in New York in primetime this Saturday, and this game will be one to watch for both sides. Another Notre Dame loss would put the Irish out of the playoff picture in all likelihood, but if Army's unbeaten season continues, the Black Knights may be able to sneak into a playoff spot by the end of the season.
The ACC Championship race
No. 8 Miami (vs. Wake Forest, noon), No. 13 SMU (at Virginia, noon) and No. 17 Clemson (vs. The Citadel, 3:30 p.m.) are all still in the running for the ACC Championship, so this will be a race to monitor closely as the season comes to a close, and even into conference championship weekend. Currently, Miami is the only ACC team holding onto a playoff spot, but two ACC teams may make a case for CFP contention depending on how things shake out down the stretch.
