Tennessee is in a logjam with several teams from different conferences for College Football Playoff spots just as the first CFP ranking is set for release on Nov. 5.

On this week's episode of "The Volunteer State" podcast, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams lay out which teams UT fans should root against in key games this weekend in order to clear the Vols' path to the playoff.

It starts in the SEC. But Tennessee needs to keep an eye on Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC teams that are jockeying for position.

Plus, will we remember Nico’s November?

The last month of the season sets up well for quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the UT offense to kick into a higher gear. There’s certainly no time like the present for the No. 7 Vols (6-1, 3-1 SEC) as a struggling Kentucky (3-5, 1-5) team comes to Neyland Stadium on Saturday (7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network).

Listen to the podcast for that full conversation about the potential of UT's offense down the stretch and the matchup with Kentucky. But let's turn to the playoff picture.

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Tennessee fans should want these SEC teams to lose

On the podcast, Sparks explained why Tennessee fans should root for these outcomes in SEC games:

• Texas A&M (7-1) to lose at South Carolina (4-3). If the Aggies suffer a second loss Saturday, they likely would be knocked out of the playoff picture with a third loss to Texas on Nov. 30.

• Ole Miss (6-2) to lose to Arkansas (5-3). Ole Miss would be out of the playoff with a third loss. And Arkansas winning makes UT’s loss to the Razorbacks look better.

• Georgia (6-1) to lose to Florida (4-3). Georgia looks like the best team in college football, but it can't afford a letdown facing Florida, Ole Miss and Tennessee in the next three weeks. The Bulldogs are a big favorite over the Gators, but crazy things can happen in rivalry games.

Adams said Georgia won't overlook Florida, but he thinks Texas A&M faces a fight at South Carolina. He believes Ole Miss is the most vulnerable to a mild upset.

Tennessee fans should want these Big Ten, Big 12, ACC teams to lose

Tennessee fans also should want the best Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC teams to lose. After all, there are scenarios where the Big Ten gets four teams into the playoff, the Big 12 gets two teams in and the ACC gets two or three teams in.

It's unlikely all those conferences max out in that way. But the more spots they fill, the fewer there are for SEC teams. Sparks explained why the Vols should root for these outcomes:

• Ohio State (6-1) to lose to Penn State (7-0). Penn State has a soft remaining schedule, so it will probably finish the regular season undefeated and make the playoff. But if Ohio State loses here, it would be on the ropes. The Buckeye don’t have a Top 25 win, and they plays playoff contender Indiana on Nov. 23.

• Iowa State (7-0) to lose to Texas Tech (5-3). Tennessee and the SEC should want the Big 12 to be a one-bid league in the playoff. That means undefeated Iowa State and BYU, as well as one-loss Kansas State, need some blemishes on their record.

• Kansas State (7-1) to lose at Houston (3-5). At this point, Kansas State is more of spoiler than playoff contender, at least as an at-large playoff team. Kansas State plays Iowa State on Nov. 30.

• Pitt (7-0) to lose at SMU (7-1). Pesky Pitt probably isn't good enough to make the playoff. But the sooner the Panthers are off the board, the better it is for remaining contenders. However, there's an argument that it's better for Tennessee in the long run that SMU loses this game.

• Clemson (6-1) to lose to Louisville (5-3). Clemson has gained momentum since a 34-3 loss to Georgia in Week 1, but a loss here likely would end its bid for an at-large spot. Clemson must get through Louisville, Virginia Tech, Pitt and South Carolina in November.

Adams pondered the possibility of Ohio State losing to Penn State now and Indiana later, which could be good for Tennessee because it trims the Big Ten contenders.

He doesn't believe Iowa State is as good as its record, so it could fall to Texas Tech.

Sparks thinks either Clemson or Pitt will lose on Saturday. But Adams believes that it's better for Tennessee in the long run that Pitt beat SMU. He thinks Pitt will eventually lose a game, but he sees a clearer path for SMU.

To hear the full conversation, listen to this episode of "The Volunteer State."

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Here’s who Tennessee fans should root against in College Football Playoff race