College Football Playoff Selection Committee putting Tennessee ahead of Georgia would be a bold first statement

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee may decide to put Tennessee over Georgia in the first official rankings of the season.

It will all be decided on Saturday in Athens, but there is a chance the College Football Playoff Selection Committee puts Tennessee in the top spot over Georgia in their initial rankings.

The Associated Press had the Dawgs at No. 1 entering Week 10 with the Vols and the Ohio State Buckeyes tied for second place some 20 votes back of UGA. While Georgia and Tennessee are locks to be two of the four teams in this week, the Selection Committee going with the Vols over the Dawgs for the top spot would be quite the statement, one that could have major implications.

Here is why going with Tennessee over Georgia could send the college football world into a frenzy.

College Football Playoff: How to decide between Georgia and Tennessee for No. 1

This is one of those rare scenarios where fans of both teams have compelling arguments for being in the top spot, but understand fully that if it is not them, then it has to be the other guy. There might be people in Columbus who think it could be THE Ohio State Buckeyes, but those people are delusional.

Come Tuesday night, it will be either Georgia or Tennessee for the top spot in the CFP.

For Georgia, the Dawgs’ claim to it is they are 8-0, 5-0 in SEC play and have the best non-conference win on the season, as they throttled Oregon in Atlanta over Labor Day Weekend. Georgia has scored at least 26 points in every game and has not allowed more than 22 in any of them. The Dawgs’ defense has held the opposition to 10 points or few on five such occasions.

For Tennessee, the Vols are 8-0 on the year with five wins over ranked teams at the time of their meeting. They are also 4-0 in SEC play, including an impressive road win over LSU in Death Valley and the best win in conference play this season with a 52-49 victory over cross-divisional rival Alabama. The Vols offense has scored at least 34 points in every game it has played this season.

Interestingly enough, the Dawgs and Vols have only played one common opponent up to this point. Tennessee beat then-No. 20 Florida 38-33 at home on Sept. 24. Georgia beat an unranked Gators team 42-20 in the Cocktail Party down in Jacksonville last weekend. Take that for what you will. Regardless, these teams have strong cases for being No. 1. What will the committee decide?

Because this division rivalry game is being played on Saturday in Athens, it does not serve the Selection Committee to prematurely crown Tennessee as the first No. 1. If the No. 2 or No. 3 Vols beat No. 1 Georgia in Athens, there will be no debate, as Tennessee will be No. 1 with a bullet next week. Of course, if new No. 1 Tennessee loses to new No. 2 Georgia, people will have some issues.

It may be by the slimmest of margins, but the Selection Committee potentially going with Tennessee over Georgia for the top spot this week would speak volumes, especially with Las Vegas viewing the Dawgs as more than a touchdown favorite Between the Hedges. This will be the biggest game in Sanford Stadium history, the first since the passing of beloved Vince Dooley.

Tennessee can win in Athens, but the committee must wait before thrusting the Vols into No. 1.

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