Did Tennessee make the College Football Playoff last season? Exploring Volunteers' 2023 season record

The Tennessee Volunteers have never made the College Football Playoff, something they will surely be hoping to change in 2024 as the postseason competition expands from a four-team format to 12 teams. In reality, the Vols were pretty far from being selectees for the CFP in 2023, with an overall record of 8-4 in the regular season.

If the Vols missed a clear chance to make the CFP, it was in the 2022 season. That year, Tennessee arrived undefeated to October 15, ranked No. 6 in the nation with a record of 5-0. Three of these victories were over then-ranked schools (Pittsburgh, Florida, and LSU). With that illustrious resume, the Volunteers received the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee pulled off a thrilling 52-49 victory that day in Knoxville. It was their first victory over Alabama since 2006, ending a 15-game losing streak. With that victory, they jumped to the No. 3 spot in the AP Poll.

They retained that position for two weeks more, earning victories over UT Martin and then No. 19 Kentucky. They arrived as the No. 2 school in the nation (Tied with Ohio State), in Athens, Georgia, to face the No. 1 Bulldogs.

They lost the game 27-13 and dropped to the No. 5 spot in the AP Poll. They never ranked above that spot again in 2022, ending in the season No. 6 in the Coaches Poll.

Tennessee DB coach Willie Martinez on the secondary's progression

The Vols are in the third week of their pre-season training camp. On Monday, defensive backs coach Willie Martinez spoke with the media and said the following about the progress the unit has made over the last few weeks:

“I’ve said it before; our versatility, which we recruited, allows us to be able to move guys around and play the best players, the guys that are performing and making the plays on a consistent basis. So we’re in a good place right now. We’ve just got to continue to improve each and every day like we’re doing right now.”

Tennessee opens up the season against regional rival Chattanooga on August 31. The game will be played at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Vols' first game against an SEC rival will be on September 21, when they will face the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners. The Vols are currently ranked No. 15 in the nation.