The Tennessee Volunteers went on the road in Week 8 to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. This is an SEC rivalry that runs deep and highlighted the Saturday night college football slate. The Volunteers ultimately took a 37-20 loss and moved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the SEC.
A second loss used to spell the end of any playoff hopes, but now the College Football Playoff field comprises 12 teams. Eight of the 12 teams that made the field in 2024 had at least two losses. Tennessee certainly has an uphill battle ahead for the second half of the regular season and can't afford another loss.
MORE: Which college football teams are still undefeated?
Here is more on whether or not Tennessee's loss to Alabama will keep them out of the College Football Playoff.
Is Tennessee out of the playoffs?
Not yet, though it will be tough to make it. Tennessee doesn't control its own destiny. Even if the Volunteers win out the rest of the season, they need the teams in front of them in the SEC to lose if they hope to vie for the automatic bid that comes with winning the SEC.
Otherwise, Tennessee will be battling it out for a remaining at-large bid spot. A third loss again won't automatically eliminate the Volunteers, but it will make it even tougher to get into the playoff field. Tennessee has two tough matchups left. The Vols will host Oklahoma, and their final regular-season game will be against Vanderbilt. While Vandy used to be an in-state game that Tennessee didn't pay much attention to, the Commodores have not found themselves ahead of the Volunteers in the conference standings.
MORE: Is LSU out of the College Football Playoff?
SEC football standings
| Team | Overall Record | SEC Record |
| Texas A&M | 7-0 | 4-0 |
| Alabama | 6-1 | 4-0 |
| Georgia | 6-1 | 4-1 |
| Ole Miss | 6-1 | 3-1 |
| Oklahoma | 6-1 | 2-1 |
| Vanderbilt | 6-1 | 2-1 |
| LSU | 5-2 | 2-2 |
| Tennessee | 5-2 | 2-2 |
| Florida | 3-4 | 2-2 |
| Missouri | 5-1 | 1-1 |
| Texas | 4-2 | 1-1 |
| South Carolina | 3-4 | 1-4 |
| Mississippi State | 4-3 | 0-3 |
| Auburn | 3-3 | 0-3 |
| Kentucky | 2-3 | 0-3 |
| Arkansas | 2-5 | 0-3 |
MORE: Will Ole Miss make the CFP after loss to Georgia?
Tennessee remaining schedule
| Date | Opponent |
| October 25 | at Kentucky |
| November 1 | vs. Oklahoma |
| November 15 | vs. New Mexico State |
| November 22 | at Florida |
| November 29 | vs. Vanderbilt |