That is where they started the season in The Associated Press Poll. Tennessee has not finished the regular season ranked since 2007, when they were 18th in the final BCS standings.
Should the Vols win their bowl game, it will add more fuel to the “Butch Jones should get a raise and extension” talk that has started. I don’t think he should be rewarded this season since he was given both a raise (to $3.6 million a year) and an extension (through 2020) last season, but I do understand why athletic director Dave Hart would consider it. As Hart said Tuesday, talks already have begun, and being ranked certainly gives Jones more leverage in those talks.