That team is Tennessee, which was run out of Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C., after the Gamecocks whipped them 63-38. The Volunteers needed only to beat South Carolina and Vanderbilt in Weeks 12 and 13 to make the Playoff. Now at two losses, Tennessee — which also lost Hendon Hooker to injury — will watch with the rest of college football.
Vols fans can take cold comfort in the fact several top teams struggled on Saturday, though No. 10 Utah — which lost to No. 12 Oregon — is the only other top-10 team to have lost in Week 12. Each of No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 TCU had close victories against largely inferior competition.
Indeed, Michigan and TCU needed last-second go-ahead field goals to beat Illinois and Baylor, respectively. Those “struggle wins” opened up the possibility for a reshuffled top four — before Tennessee’s loss, that is.
MORE: College football rankings: Projecting 2022 Playoff picture
Here’s how those games and more affected the latest rankings from the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll:
College football rankings for Week 13
Coaches Poll
Others receiving votes: UCF 41; Troy 39; South Carolina 38; Pitt 17; Wake Forest 16; Iowa 15; Louisville 9; Boise State 9; South Alabama 8; Illinois 8; Air Force 6; Purdue 5; Washington State 3; Liberty 3; Georgia Tech 2; Mississippi State 1.
MORE: College Football Playoff ranking schedule, release dates for 2022
AP Top 25
Others receiving votes: UTSA 85; South Carolina 44; Troy 34; Boise State 16; Illinois 12; Iowa 5; Louisville 5; South Alabama 3; Mississippi State 3; Oklahoma State 2; Arkansas 2; Purdue 2; Fresno State 1.
