College Football Playoff Rankings 2022: Final Top 25 projections

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Nov 26, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jaylen McCollough (2) celebrates after a defensive stop during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Down Hendon Hooker, it just felt like even if the Volunteers didn’t get blown out by South Carolina that they’d have a long, winding road to the playoff.

Losing its starting quarterback and a guy who is realistically deserving of an invite to New York for the Heisman ceremony hurts. The Volunteers never expected it would happen in the middle of a blowout to South Carolina and definitely not this late in the season, but they’ll still get a New Year’s Six bowl.

There’s going to be some debate about their position in the rankings and I truly believe that there are a couple of teams who could jump them after Championship Week in college football.

Tennessee is built for the future and Josh Heupel proved this year that his program can contend for championships and when everyone is healthy, the Vols are one of the best teams in the nation and a potential playoff squad.

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