Ever since the College Football Playoff era began, only two 8-5 teams have finished ranked in either the AP Poll or Coaches’ Poll at the end of the season. But both were in the SEC: The Auburn Tigers in 2014 and the Mississippi State Bulldogs in 2018. Could Tennessee football become the third team to do so?
The Vols are still not receiving any recognition in either poll. And at 5-5 after an 0-2 start in which they lost two games to Group of Five teams at home, they shouldn’t be. But after winning four of five in Jeremy Pruitt’s second season, people are beginning to take notice.