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Heather Dinich determines playoff implications in Tennessee vs. Alabama

Untitled design (2)by: Sam Gillenwater10/17/25samdg_33
Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar, Alabama QB Ty Simpson
Saul Young | News Sentinel | USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images - Jay Biggerstaff | Imagn Images

The Third Saturday of October has arrived, and with it comes a top-dozen match of No. 11 Tennessee vs. No. 6 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. It also comes with a game that will have midseason implications for the College Football Playoff.

On ‘Get Up’ on Friday morning, ESPN’s Heather Dinich discussed the impact of a win tomorrow, either way for the Volunteers or Crimson Tide, on the CFP. Dinich says a Vols win will have them in real consideration for the field, while a ‘Bama win would put them into the discussion for a top-four seed.

“Well, if the Vols win? Then this would catapult them off the bubble and into the conversation,” said Dinich.

But, if Alabama wins, it’s even bigger,” Dinich said. “The selection committee does not hesitate to put a one-loss team ahead of an undefeated team. This could be an opportunity for Alabama to move ahead of undefeated Texas A&M in the rankings. And, you know what that means? That means a top-four seed and a first-round bye.”

After Saturday’s action last weekend, Dinich projected both teams would be right in the mix for a playoff spot. Her predictions had Alabama at No. 5, making them the first of the at-larges, and Tennessee at No. 12, which made them the first team out of the playoff. That has tomorrow’s result as a significant one in the hopes for either, to be in or to position themselves within the field, for the CFP.

This rivalry means a lot to both programs, but only one will be smoking cigars tomorrow night. Only one will be firmly in the playoff mix as well, with the loser’s season being on the brink in becoming a two-loss team by mid-October.

Jordan Rodgers determines key to game in Tennessee vs. Alabama

In the same segment, Jordan Rodgers highlighted the risk vs. reward of Joey Aguilar as the key to the matchup tomorrow in Tuscaloosa. He expects the Crimson Tide’s offense to score more than enough, but the Volunteers’ hope is to win in a shootout at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“The deciding factor for this is going to be the touchdown-to-interception ratio for Joey Aguilar,” said Rodgers. “Look, the reality is this Tennessee defense stinks. Ty Simpson is going to dice them up. They’re 124th in the country. Especially against the pass, they’ve been really bad. So, Aguilar is going to have to score some points. Now, Tennessee is number one in the country (in scoring). They can do that. But, remember, last year, he led in interceptions. He’s thrown five in his last four games. He’s got to be explosive, he’s got to be a gunslinger but he’s got to protect the football against Alabama.”