Why we're taking Tennessee football seriously as a national championship contender

Tennessee football played like a complete team on Saturday in Oklahoma.

Was it Josh Heupel's most impressive victory as Tennessee's coach? No. But, more so than any other game, it showed the Vols can win with defense . And wins like that will be needed as Tennessee aims to advance from being a good program to becoming a national championship contender.

On this edition of " The Volunteer State ," Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's Adam Sparks and John Adams weigh in on Tennessee's national championship potential.

They also push back on the argument that Heupel coached too conservatively against Oklahoma .

And, they engage with a doomsday scenario that could keep Tennessee out of the playoff if the Vols finish 10-2.

TOPPMEYER: If this new Josh Heupel lasts, Tennessee football just might be dangerous

SPARKS: Where Tennessee is vulnerable in College Football Playoff race and Josh Heupel's options to fix it

ADAMS: Oklahoma Sooners fan predicts future greatness thanks to oil, but all I see are excuses

Are we taking Tennessee seriously as national championship contender?

Adams: Absolutely. I took Tennessee seriously as a playoff contender as a preseason, and these first four games have only improved my outlook. In fact, if I were predicting the SEC Championship matchup today, I'd forecast Tennessee vs. Texas. Tennessee has one of its best defensive fronts I can ever recall seeing. That, plus a good quarterback, makes the Vols a title contender.

Sparks : Yes, Tennessee is a national championship contender. Just look at how the Vols beat Oklahoma. Heupel trusted his defense to deliver the victory, after Tennessee had established a lead. That says a lot about the program's growth. The Vols can win in a variety of ways, more so than earlier in Heupel's tenure, and the more well-rounded nature of this team makes it a national championship contender.

Toppmeyer: I have two tiers of national championship contenders. On Tier 1, I have Texas, Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama. The Vols impressed me enough throughout the first four weeks to join my Tier 2 of national championship contenders, a group that includes Ole Miss and Oregon. Miami inches closer to that Tier 2 dialogue, as well.

Now, ready for the doomsday scenario? Here it is: Tennessee loses to Alabama and Georgia. It's 10-2 and doesn't have a victory against a team that finishes in the Top 25. (Do you really think the Sooners will be ranked come December? Doubtful.) The bubble is crowded with one- and two-loss teams that have more notable victories than Tennessee's win at OU. Would the Vols be in danger of being snubbed from the playoff in this scenario, considering its lack of marquee victories? Probably wouldn't happen, but maybe. The snub becomes likelier if the losses to Alabama and Georgia are lopsided. Enough doomsday talk, though, because the Vols are 4-0 and a title contender.

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Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist and a published author . John Adams is the News Sentinel's senior columnist and a two-time published author . Adam Sparks covers the Vols with award-winning coverage for the News Sentinel. You can subscribe to read all their coverage , or check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why we're taking Tennessee football seriously as a national championship contender