While the expanded playoff format has entered a new era for the sport, it is not the only significant change in college athletics. The introduction of the NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) era and the transfer portal have also transformed the landscape of college sports.

Nico Iamaleava is leaving Tennessee after an NIL dispute, and according to Josh Pate, that dispute nearly caused him to opt out of the CFP.

Without Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee should be even more optimistic about reaching the College Football Playoff for the second-straight season.