That’s so unfortunate Phillip Fulmer send 2 worlds strong message to Tennessee volunteers today about……
If a playoff had been introduced in 1966, the Tennessee Vols wouldn’t have won the national championship in 1998 according to ESPN’s simulations.
Instead, it would’ve been Ohio State hoisting the trophy at the end of the 1998 season via a win against Kansas State.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly simulated the results of a playoff starting with the 1966 season and running through the 2023 season to determine who would’ve won the natty in each of those seasons with a playoff in place.
(If you’re wondering, Connelly’s article still has Josh Heupel and the Oklahoma Sooners winning it all in 2000.)
The idea of Peyton with a national championship on his resumé just feels right. But the idea of the Vols coming up short in 1998 just feels wrong.
It’s a fun look at what could’ve been. But at the same time, nothing can take away the pain of coming up short in 1997 or the jubilation of winning it all in 1998.
