In awkward twist, Tennessee football playoff hopes now involve Georgia alliance | Toppmeyer

ATHENS, Ga. – Stetson Bennett IV didn’t bother watching Tuesday's College Football Playoff rankings reveal.

The first rankings don’t matter, the Georgia quarterback said.

He’d probably say the second rankings don’t matter, either, but Georgia should overtake the top spot after whipping Tennessee 27-13 on Saturday.

“The first ones never matter,” Bennett said in explanation of his nonchalant attitude after learning the Vols were ranked No. 1 and Georgia No. 3 in the initial rankings.

“It’s going to be the ones down the road. It’s the last one that matters.”

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Georgia (9-0, 6-0 SEC) is on a path that leads to the SEC Championship and then likely to the playoff.

The Vols are headed for … maybe still the playoff, if they get enough help … or maybe the Sugar Bowl … or maybe elsewhere.

With one ugly performance, Tennessee lost control of its postseason destination. To make the playoff, the Vols (8-1, 4-1) will require Georgia's help. Upsets to teams in other conferences would be welcome, too.

How do you feel about rooting for "the other UT," Vols fans? If Texas upsets undefeated TCU next week, it would serve as a favor to Tennessee.

The more top teams that lose from now through the first weekend in December, the better for the Vols.

Except for Georgia.

The Bulldogs must remain unblemished and win the SEC Championship for the Vols to enter the playoff through a side door.

Only once has a team, other than independent Notre Dame, reached the playoff that did not win its division. That was Alabama, in 2017. It won the national championship as a one-loss team after Auburn upset the Tide in the Iron Bowl to win the SEC West.

The script A carries extra oomph with the selection committee. How else can you rationally explain Alabama being ranked ahead of TCU in last week’s rankings?

But the Vols won't require a miracle or a 'Bama boost to make the playoff, just a couple of breaks.

They caught their first one late Saturday, when No. 4 Clemson lost to Notre Dame.

If Tennessee had played Georgia more competitively – the Bulldogs dominated Tennessee for three quarters before the Vols grabbed a late touchdown – I would have argued a one-loss UT should be in the playoff ahead of, say, a one-loss Pac-12 champion.

Not anymore.

Oregon, Southern Cal and UCLA will have more opportunities to boost their résumé, while the Vols' résumé doesn't have much room for additional polishing. Remaining November games against three lackluster opponents – Missouri, South Carolina and Vanderbilt – mean the Vols are unlikely to lose again but also that they have exhausted their chances for significant victories.

Awkward though it may be for the Vols, Georgia is their best ally.

One of Tennessee's playoff arguments will be that its only loss came on the road to the nation's best team. That argument only works if Georgia keeps winning.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart contributed to the alliance Saturday.

Georgia led 24-6 at halftime, but instead of pouring it on, the Bulldogs threw just four second-half passes.

Smart chalked up that conservative shift to rainy second-half conditions.

Whatever the case, Georgia's offense stalled in the fourth quarter behind the one-dimensional approach, and the Vols made the score more respectable than their performance.

Tennessee's top goal this season had been to win the SEC East. That's off the table.

A muddy path to the playoff remains, but while teams like TCU and Oregon, USC or UCLA will have the opportunity to enhance their playoff credentials on conference championship weekend, the Vols will be at home, pulling for the Dawgs and cheering for upsets elsewhere.

Blake Toppmeyer is an SEC Columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Tennessee football's path to playoff involves Georgia alliance