Booger McFarland, Greg McElroy discuss playoff implications in Alabama vs. Tennessee

There is always a lot on the line when Alabama and Tennessee play in The Third Saturday in October rivalry game, but perhaps even more is at stake this year. ESPN analysts Booger McFarland and Greg McElroy discussed potential College Football Playoff implications the matchup could have Tuesday on a preview of the CFP rankings show.

Both teams already have one loss as McFarland pointed out, and he believes that puts the loser of this game on thin ice the rest of the way. In his mind, whichever team loses will essentially have to win out the rest of the way to give itself a chance.

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“Both teams have one loss and if you look at their schedule going forward, this loss is going to be two and there is likely going to be a third loss for one of these teams,” McFarland explained. “I think there’s not gonna be a three-loss team in the playoff, so this could be a playoff eliminator.”

Alabama has some tough games after Tennessee as it will face Missouri and LSU in the next two games. Likewise, the Vols still have a bout with No. 5 Georgia looming later in the season.

The Crimson Tide already have a win against the Bulldogs, and McElroy agreed that a win here would put Tennessee in the Playoff even it were to later lose to Georgia.

“If Tennessee wins this week, they really have one massive hurdle left and that’s Georgia,” he said, “A 10-2 team out of the SEC is looking pretty good I would imagine. So a big one here potentially for the Vols.”

Tennessee snapped a 15-game losing streak to Alabama in the 2022 season, but then went on to lose last year by a score of 34-20. The contest returns to Knoxville this year, however, and Tennessee presents a new weapon offensively with quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

Alabama, led by Jalen Milroe, had looked equally impressive this season. However, there’s only so many SEC teams that will ultimately be able to make the College Football Playoff and this game represents a chance to both to take a step ahead of the other.

Kickoff between Alabama and Tennessee is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.