Josh Heupel didn’t say the word “playoff” during his 10-minute press conference. He didn't have to. The Vols know what's on the line vs. Vanderbilt.

Josh Heupel knows this year’s Vanderbilt team is not the one he is used to having faced in the past. This is a much stronger group of Commodores that can hang their hat on several big wins this season, most notable their victory over Alabama – which was ranked No. 1 in the country at the time.

Quite a few college football head coaches are spending the last couple of weeks of November trying to convince the College Football Playoff committee that they deserve a spot in the top 12 of the rankings.