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Paul Finebaum believes Tennessee is still in a 'really good spot' for the College Football Playoff

Screenshot 2023-07-18 at 4.54.37 PMby:Riley Gates•11/06/22•

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ATHENS, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 05: Hendon Hooker #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts on the field against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

The Tennessee Volunteers suffered their first loss over the weekend, falling 27-13 to Georgia on the road. While that likely knocks the Volunteers out of the SEC Championship game, it does not necessarily knock them out of the College Football Playoff. ESPN Radio host Paul Finebaum explained more while chatting with ESPN’s Matt Barrie.

“They’re in a really good spot right now because their schedule is easy remaining, they have one game on the road that matters against South Carolina,” Finebaum said. “I’ll spare you the, ‘Saturday night at Williams-Brice,’ because you’ve been there a million times. I think they got a tremendous break yesterday with Clemson getting knocked out. That was a big deal. TCU has got such a gauntlet the next few weeks. I think if TCU gets knocked out of this thing then they’re right back in a position to snare No. 4.”

The Bulldogs entered the game ready to face a Tennessee offense that ranked first in the country in total offense at 553 yards per game and first in scoring offense at 49.4 points per game. Tennessee had scored at least 34 points in every game this season. But Saturday was much different, as the Volunteers had just 298 yards and scored 13 points in the loss.

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker had been a key reason for the success that Tennessee had this year prior to the loss. Hooker had previously completed 71.2% of his passes for 2,338 yards, 21 touchdowns and just one interception this season, while also adding in four rushing touchdowns. But on Saturday, Hooker had just 195 yards and a pick, while adding a mere 17 yards on the ground.

Big games around the sport

The loss of Tennessee and its perfect record was not the only major move in college football on Saturday, though. In addition to the Volunteers going down, No. 4 Clemson lost to Notre Dame, a game in which the Tigers did not score until the fourth quarter. Alabama also was likely eliminated from SEC contention, losing 32-31 to LSU in overtime.

As of now, Georgia is on pace to represent the SEC East in the SEC title game. But if the Bulldogs were to drop two games before the end of the year, Tennessee could have a chance to slide back into the picture.