Are the Tennessee Volunteers a legitimate college football National Championship contender? After defeating Kentucky 44-6 on Saturday, undefeated Tennessee moved into a tie with the Ohio State Buckeyes for No. 2 in the AP Top 25 Poll, behind the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs. The Volunteers also continue to climb the ranks in terms of the National Championship odds. Per DraftKings, the Volunteers have the fourth-best odds (behind Georgia, Ohio State and the Alabama Crimson Tide) to win the title this season.
Check out the full updated National Championship odds below:
The betting favorite, Georgia, was able to continue its undefeated season and quest to repeat as College Football Playoff champions with a convincing 42-20 win over Florida. The Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0) lead the SEC East, with next weekend's game against the Volunteers (8-0, 4-0) likely to decide which team will compete in the SEC Championship game.
Ohio State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten East) was able to go on the road and take care of a tough opponent, defeating Penn State 44-31 after trailing 14-13 at halftime. The second-half offensive explosion was led by quarterback CJ Stroud, who finished with 354 yards passing and one touchdown.
Alabama did not play Saturday. The Crimson Tide (7-1, 4-1) lost at Tennessee, 52-49 on Oct. 15, and are tied with LSU and Mississippi State for first place in the SEC West and in contention for the SEC Championship game.
Tennessee has made its magical run to being among the nation's elite thanks, in large part, to quarterback Hendon Hooker, who has blossomed into a true Heisman candidate in his senior season. Hooker became a household name after the Alabama upset and hasn't skipped a beat since that triumph.
During the win over Kentucky, Hooker completed 19 of 25 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 23 yards and a score.
When discussing the current Heisman battle between Hooker and Stroud, Fox Sports' Tim Tebow chose the Tennessee quarterback.
“But if I was giving a slight edge right now today, which there’s a lot of season to play, I’m giving a slight edge to Hendon Hooker because he’s had bigger games and he’s come up so big, not in the first, second or third quarter, but in the fourth quarter when it mattered most," Tebow said. "Down 49-42, he leads his team on a drive. Touchdown. Then, they get the ball back and get two daggers against Alabama. Right now, if I had to vote, I’d give a slight edge to Hendon Hooker.”
With Hooker as their catalyst, the Volunteers are emerging as one of the most dangerous teams in the nation, but they'll have their work cut out for them when they travel to Sanford Stadium to take on the Bulldogs next Saturday afternoon.
Per DraftKings, the Tennessee Volunteers stand as 8.5-point underdogs for the highly touted matchup.
