The Tennessee Vols have something very important they need to remember ahead of game against Arkansas

There's something extremely important that the Tennessee Vols need to remember ahead of their road matchup with the Arkansas Razorbacks this weekend.

Tennessee isn't a College Football Playoff team.

At least not yet.

Sure, nearly everyone in the national media has Tennessee as one of the 12 playoff teams in their current predictions, but those predictions mean absolutely nothing. No one has secured a spot in the playoff yet. And no one knows how the playoff will look in December. Fans and media might have an idea of how they think it'll look, but not one spot has been handed out yet.

And the Vols need to remember that going into their game against Arkansas this weekend.

If Tennessee wants to have a special season, then the playoff should be the furthest thing from their mind. It has to be a 1-0 mindset each week for UT. The only game that matters right now is Arkansas. All of those playoff predictions? They're not real. It's just talk. And it can be a distraction if the Vols let it.

Tennessee can't let any of that outside noise, even though it's positive, seep into the program. The Vols, after all, are at their best when they play with a chip on their shoulder.

In 2022, when Tennessee was ranked No. 1 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, it felt like the Vols lost their edge a bit. And that might have cost them a spot in the playoff.

There's no reason for the Vols to lose their edge this season. That edge, which starts with the head coach, is why this Tennessee team has a legitimate chance to compete for a championship this season. But they have to stay in the moment, they can't take a thing for granted. Because if they do, they might end up with an unexpected loss on their résumé.

Florida, Alabama, Georgia, SEC Championship game, hosting a playoff game -- none of that stuff matters on Saturday. The only thing that matters is finding a way to leave Fayetteville with the win.

Tennessee is in a good spot right now, but they have to remain focused on the ultimate goal. And that ultimate goal is going 1-0 each week.

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