Why it's College Football Playoff or bust for Tennessee Vols. And 9-3 won't cut it

Preseason projections of Tennessee's 2024 record tend to come
down to two options: 10-2 or 9-3.


That might not sound like much difference, but in the 12-team
College Football Playoff era, it's probably the difference
between making the playoff or not. Vols fans have their sights
set on making the playoff in Josh Heupel's fourth season.
Tennessee drew an accommodating schedule, and anticipation for
Nico Iamaleava's first season as starting quarterback is off the
charts. 


Still, boobytrap games like those against Oklahoma and Florida
could ensnare Tennessee's playoff hopes.


On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John
Adams debate whether this season is playoff or bust for
Tennessee. 


Would 9-3 be an acceptable result in Big Orange Country? Probably
not. 


Not with a 5-star quarterback. Not with a schedule that includes
just four preseason ranked teams. Heupel enjoys job security.
He's entrenched, playoff or not. But, he should know expectations
will increase after he delivered three straight winning seasons.


Here's the thing about the playoff tripling in size: It's easier
to make the playoff, but fan frustrations for missing the playoff
might triple.