Tennessee was projected to have a good chance at making the college football playoffs according to ESPNs Football Power Index.

Tennessee is projected to have a good chance at making the college football playoffs according to ESPNs Football Power Index.

College football is set to embark on its inaugural year of a 12-team playoff format, departing from the previous four-team structure used for the past decade. New doors of opportunity swing open for programs across the nation, as eight additional teams will have the chance to compete for a national title.

Tennessee is believed to be a major beneficiary of the expanded playoffs, as the Volunteers were recently given a 36.9% chance at making the playoffs by ESPNs Football Power Index, ranking the Vols at No. 9 in preseason rankings. Additionally, the FPI forecasts Tennessee to win an estimated 8.6 games, with a 5.5% probability of winning the SEC Championship and a 2.7% shot at claiming the national title.

Tennessee has a tough season ahead, with the FPI assessing the Vols to have the eighth-toughest schedule in the nation featuring pivotal matchups against formidable opponents such as No. 1 Georgia, No. 5 Alabama, and No. 8 Oklahoma.

Tennessee will look to capitalize off a highly successful two-season stretch as they turn to the highly anticipated Nico Lamaleava to help propel the Volunteers into the national title conversation.