It's been 24 years since Tennessee could say it was No. 1 with no arguments.
That was 1998, when Peyton Manning's successor, Tee Martin, led a charmed season in which the Volunteers won the first national title of the Bowl Championship Series era under coach Phillip Fulmer. They weren't No. 1 in the AP Poll that year until Nov. 9, 1998 – two days after Michigan State, led by coach Nick Saban knocked Ohio State from the top spot.
Now, everything is in place to make that happen. Tennessee could be No. 1 again – at least for a week. The Volunteers set that stage with a 44-6 blowout victory against No. 19 Kentucky on Saturday.
It's taken nearly a quarter-century, five coaching changes since the Fulmer era ended and some high-profile disasters to get back to No. 1. Now, Tennessee gets its chance to get back on top nearly 24 years to the day when it takes on Georgia in Week 10.
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What about now? Should the Vols be No. 1 now? You can make that case, and it is a strong one. Tennessee has five victories against ranked teams, and the College Football Playoff committee does not always follow the polls. If Tennessee is the top-ranked team Tuesday night when the first set of CFP rankings are released, it will not be a huge surprise.
They are arguably the best team right now. "Arguably" being the key word.
Tennessee has arguably the best offensive scheme in the FBS with coach Josh Heupel. If "NCAA Football" was released this year, then everybody would be downloading the Vols' wide-open playbook. This offense is churning out comparable totals No. 2 Ohio State's offensive machine with less five-star, first-round talent.
They can strike at any time, too.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker found receiver Jalin Hyatt for a 55-yard touchdown on the fifth play from scrimmage against the Wildcats – then did it again with a 31-yard TD with 22 seconds left in the half. Those were back-breakers for Kentucky, which fell behind 27-6 in the first half.
When you put a linebacker on Jalin Hyatt, this happens.
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) October 30, 2022
Horrible defense as well. pic.twitter.com/om1PEHcRbu
The defense even got in on the act. Tennessee safety Doneiko Slaughter drilled Kentucky receiver Dane Key on a third-and-7 in the red zone, which Juwan Mitchell plucked out of the air for an interception. It was one of those "truck stick" hits that make the montage in memorable seasons. The Vols forced three turnovers and demoralized a Kentucky offense led by future first-round pick Will Levis.
That is not all right now.
Hooker is arguably the Heisman favorite. The Tennessee quarterback is the best player at the position since the Vols transitioned from Manning to Martin. He now has 3,338 yards, 21 TDs and one interception. Manning couldn't win the award from Michigan's Charles Woodson in 1997. Would Hooker rectify that by sneaking past Ohio State favorite C.J. Stroud in 2022?
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Or will Hyatt upstage both? He is arguably the best chunk-play receiver in college football – unless you want Ohio State's Marvin Harrison. Hyatt now has 45 catches for 907 yards and 14 TDs, an incredible average of 20.2 per catch. Hyatt's second TD broke Carl Pickens' school record of 13 receiving TDs, which had stood since 1990.
The Vols have arguably the best victory of the season, the 52-49 thriller against No. 6 Alabama and Saban at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 15. Tennessee also hammered No. 25 LSU 40-13 at Death Valley.
Why wouldn't the Vols be No. 1 at this point? There is one good reason.
Georgia is the defending national champion. This is the real "Game of the Year" in the regular season because the winner likely is heading to the SEC championship game and the loser will have to count on a back door opening for their playoff hopes. No. 1 can come and go that fast.
Does Tennessee have enough to beat the Bulldogs? Georgia has won the last five meetings by an average of 28.6 points per game, and coach Kirby Smart will turn up the pressure on the Vols' offense. Georgia might not have the same flash, but the Bulldogs still average 42 points per game with their methodical style. It is also the first home game for Georgia since the death of legendary coach Vince Dooley. Moments like this don't come around often.
Will "Rocky Top" be on top at No. 1 with no arguments?
These next seven days will feel like another 24 years before we find out.
