For the second straight time, Tennessee knocked off Alabama at Rocky Top, winning 2 of the last 3 overall editions of the Third Saturday in October, and Saturday’s result could end up playing a big role in what the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff eventually looks like.
As the Vols took their final knee and the Big Orange faithful lit their victory cigars, Tennessee’s playoff chances saw a noticeable jump, while Alabama’s postseason hopes took a big hit.
That’s according to the College Football Power Index, ESPN’s computer prediction model that uses data points from both teams to simulate games 20,000 times and pick winners.
According to that model, Tennessee now has a 70 percent chance to qualify for the College Football Playoff, improving from the team’s 45 percent odds prior to the game.
Alabama now has a 49 percent chance to make the playoff this season, a precipitous drop from the 69 percent odds it had to make the 12-team postseason prior to Saturday’s kickoff.
