In the recently released final polls, the Tennessee Volunteers football team secured the No. 17 spot after an impressive season. The team, led by coach Josh Heupel, showed resilience and determination, capping off the season with a dominant 35-0 victory over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl. This remarkable win propelled the Vols up the rankings, gaining eight spots in the Associated Press (AP) poll and six spots in the US LBM Coaches Poll.
Despite the success on the field, some coaches, including UConn’s Jim Mora Jr. and Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, opted to leave Tennessee off their final ballots. Mora’s decision, in particular, raises eyebrows as his UConn team suffered a substantial defeat to the Vols earlier in the season, losing 59-3.
Controversial Exclusions in Coaches Poll
Jim Mora Jr.’s exclusion of Tennessee from his final coaches’ poll ballot adds a layer of controversy to the post-season discussions. Mora, who had a notable drive-by handshake with Coach Heupel after the November game, did not hesitate to omit the Vols from his final rankings. The apparent snub comes after a pregame confrontation between the Vols and UConn, adding a touch of lingering tension to the narrative.
Mora, ranking Iowa at No. 18, raised eyebrows by placing three teams that Tennessee had lost to within the top 10. Meanwhile, Sumrall, with Iowa at No. 25, further fueled the debate surrounding the final coaches’ poll.
ESPN’s Rece Davis, a prominent figure in college football coverage, also left Tennessee off his final ballot, ranking Iowa at No. 18. Davis, a long-time anchor and “College GameDay” host, contributed to the seven media members who did not include the Vols in their final rankings.
The decision by these media members to overlook Tennessee, especially after their impressive Citrus Bowl performance, has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike. Despite moving up in both polls after the bowl win, the Vols seem to have faced resistance from a faction of the media.
Tennessee’s AP Top 25 Journey
The AP Top 25 poll saw Tennessee finishing the season at No. 17, marking a notable rise from their preseason No. 12 ranking. The Vols spent one week in the Top 10, reaching No. 9 early in the season. Throughout the season, Tennessee frequently found themselves in the 20s of the poll, reflecting the team’s varied performance.
The shutout victory against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, however, propelled Tennessee to the biggest mover among all teams in the top 25, gaining eight spots and solidifying their No. 17 ranking.
ESPN writer and analyst Bill Connelly introduced a different perspective with his SP+ rankings. Placing Tennessee at No. 14, Connelly’s system evaluates teams based on tempo- and opponent-adjusted statistics, providing an in-depth analysis of their performance throughout the season.
While Connelly’s rankings position Tennessee three spots higher than in the AP poll, the SP+ system categorizes teams differently, focusing on predictive and forward-facing measures rather than rewarding past achievements. The Vols’ offense, defense, and special teams were individually assessed, giving fans a comprehensive understanding of their team’s strengths and areas for improvement.
Excitement for the 2024 Season
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Tennessee football fans have reasons to be excited. With quarterback Nico Iamaleava and defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. leading the charge, the Vols aim to make a significant impact in the revitalized Southeastern Conference (SEC). The upcoming season brings new challenges with matchups against Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi State in the revamped SEC schedule.
As the controversy surrounding the final polls simmers, Tennessee’s focus shifts to the future. The team’s success in the Citrus Bowl and the promising talent on both sides of the ball set the stage for a thrilling season ahead. Whether the exclusion from certain coaches’ and media members’ ballots will fuel the Vols’ determination remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the road to the 2024 season is shaping up to be an exciting journey for Tennessee football.
Also read:
- The Bond Between ESPN Analyst Kirk Herbstreit and His Dog is Amazing
- Shedeur Sanders Wants LaJohntay Wester At Colorado Buffaloes
- Bianca Peters is Leaving ‘Good Day New York’ Morning Show But She is Not Leaving The Show At All
- CJ Stroud Wants To Change The Criminal Justice System, As He Thinks “The Whole Criminal Justice System is Corrupt”
