The Alabama Crimson Tide, a perennial powerhouse in college football, entered the 2024 season riding a wave of high expectations, especially with Kalen DeBoer stepping into the spotlight after Nick Saban’s retirement. But in a shocking turn of events, the No. 1 ranked Tide suffered a stunning loss to an unranked Vanderbilt team, sending shockwaves through the college football world. This defeat marked the beginning of a downward spiral for Alabama, a team that has long been synonymous with dominance.

As if that wasn’t enough, Alabama’s hopes for redemption were dashed again when they faced Tennessee. A heartbreaking loss not only shattered their morale but also dealt a major blow to their playoff dreams. With Alabama’s and Texas’s playoff chances hanging by a thread, the narrative seemed bleak for SEC contenders this season.

But amidst the chaos, one team has risen to new heights. College football analyst Greg McElroy recently weighed in on this surprising contender, noting how while traditional giants like Alabama and Texas falter, this team has seized the moment and is making waves in the playoff race

Greg McElroy, on the latest episode of the ESPN college football show, revealed that Tennessee has high odds of being a championship contender this season. “Where they’re at right now, Vols are one of the top teams in the country. As far as defending the opposition, they were able to rush the quarterback this past weekend against a pretty good offensive line.” Given his statement, Tennessee’s 7th position on the AP poll is questionable.

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“I might add that you get twelve quarterback hurries, you get three sacks, you intercept two passes, and you had six more tackles for loss, so this defense is championship caliber. It’s the offense that has maybe been holding them back just a little bit. And a lot of people.” First, he believes Tennessee is one of the elite teams in college football. Second, he praised their impressive defense against Alabama.

Tennessee’s defense was on fire, racking up three sacks, nine tackles for loss, and two interceptions in their impressive 24-17 win over Alabama. The defense set the tone, taking an early 7-0 lead by halftime and keeping Alabama on the back foot. This victory not only showcased Tennessee’s strength but also significantly boosted their playoff chances. With momentum like this, Tennessee is quickly becoming a serious contender.

Tennessee’s playoff chances with an impressive defense

While talking about their win over the Crimson Tide, Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson said, “Obviously our defense is out there, giving us confidence. We kind of made it hard on them in the first half, but they’re playing their trail off no matter who’s in the game. You expect that? That lights a fire and if it doesn’t, something is wrong.” 

Simpson explained how he praised their defense. Their defense controlled the line of scrimmage and made it tough for the quarterbacks, which helped them throughout the game. Because of it, Tennessee’s playoff chances have also increased. Currently, nine SEC teams have playoff shot chances, but after this weekend, it surely can get narrowed down.

Meanwhile, Tennessee will have a game against Kentucky, and the first college football playoff rankings are expected to be released on November 5. Moreover, as per the ESPN college football power index’s prediction, Tennessee has 67.1% playoff odds with a projected record of 9-3 to 11-1.