For the Tennessee Volunteers football team, there are always high expectations from the fans who bleed orange. Even in the past, when there was no real reason for expectations. The fans demand excellence every year.

Under Josh Heupel, there has been more stability, and the Vols have made progress in returning to college football prominence. They are now at least relevant, and hope in the team is reasonable. The question is: has there been so much improvement that only a College Football Playoff birth would deem this next year successful?

Is It CFP or Bust?

Tennessee has only made the CFP one time since its inception, and ironically, it was not with their best team under Heupel. I think all would agree that their best team was just short of the Playoff, largely due to only 4 teams making the field in that year.

The fact remains, though, that the feat has only been accomplished one time. That initially makes it hard to say they need to make it back or else the season is disappointing, but with 12 teams making it, the story changes.

Tennessee Football has no interest in just being a top 20, top 15, or even top 10 team. They are solely focused on getting back to the promised land, something they have not achieved since 1998. To be that team, you obviously have to be in the field.

If this were a 4-team playoff, there would be an argument about getting close and it being a building block. With 12 teams, if you do not make the field, then you are not even remotely close. Tennessee has to make it to the playoffs.

Why the Expectations?

Many will point to the quarterback situation as a big question mark about this team, and though that is something that will need to be answered, there can still be expectations. Faizon Brandon has won the starting job, so there will be extreme talent at the position.

Even with that question mark, there is still a lot to like on the team, especially the offensive supporting cast. The wide receiver room is loaded with talent and has several proven playmakers. The running back is a returning All-SEC player. The offensive line has studs all around. The playmakers are there to be a good offense.

The defensive side of the ball will have a lot of change, but they still have playmakers and talent. With Heupel at the helm, the team should score points, and the defense should just need to come up with key defensive plays, which I think they are more than capable.

Ultimately, the Volunteers have the ability to make the College Football Playoff, and if you are a team that wants to rejoin the elites, then you have to make it. Being a good team will not cut it; not many will be satisfied with just being ranked. It is time to make the big dance, then make some noise in it.