The Vols are safely in the Playoff, may even get a home game, and they have a week off to start preparing. They will be playing with house money: They were not one of the SEC’s top four or even five most likely picks to make the Playoff.

Here is how the CFP rankings and bracket should look going into Conference Championship Week. 1. OREGON (12-0). Won 49-21 vs. Washington (6-6). Next game: Dec. 7 vs. Penn State (11-1) in Indianapolis for Big Ten championship. 2. TEXAS (11-1). Won 17-7 at Texas A&M (8-4). Next game: Dec. 7 vs. Georgia (10-2) in Atlanta for SEC championship.

This has been one of the most unpredictable and exciting college football seasons in recent memory. That makes things fun, but it can also make things confusing, especially when you're trying to figure out whether YOUR TEAM will be playing in its conference championship game.