By: NATE DEVILLE

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- With its loss to Oklahoma on Saturday, Tennessee is now virtually exempt from this season’s College Football Playoff. 

After entering week 10 at No. 14, the Volunteers (6-3, 3-3 in Southeastern Conference) dropped nine spots and are now ranked 23rd in the latest Associated Press poll and No. 25 in the first College Football Playoff poll released Tuesday. 

With three games remaining in the season, the Vols now head to their second and final bye week before hosting New Mexico State on Nov. 15. 

“If I had my wish, after that one, [we’d] play right away,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. 

With playoff hopes all but killed, Heupel and his staff must decide which direction they will steer the team for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. 

“The development of our current players, our preparation for the opponent…the projection of the following year… It's a combination of all those things,” Heupel said of his discussions with staff at this time. 

Considering greater distribution of reps to his younger players going forward, Heupel appeared open to making lineup changes, following adequate inquiry. 

“Guys that prove that they're ready to play at a really high-level [will] earn the right to play and compete," he said.

Despite a disheartening outcome at the hands of the Sooners last weekend, Heupel expects his team to return from the bye week and finish the season strong.  

“These guys have been consistent in the way that they've worked and competed,” the coach said. 

“Don't expect this team to do anything other than compete.”