Tennessee mattered way back when the forward pass was implemented, and when helmets were folded and shoved in pockets, and they've mattered throughout the modern era... the 'spell' they're going through now is their only non-competitive era of consequence. It makes rivals feel warm and fuzzy to dial them back to the heard, but that's all it is.
Miami seems to be the darling this season, all while accomplishing nothing of real note- last week, if any of y'all care to watch that game, the zebras were a tremendous help in their remaining undefeated. I don't have a dog in that fight, but i can tell you the ref's did everything they could to keep Miami in the game when they were under threat of going 21 down. it's rare i'll make such an assertion and even more rare that i will decisively say that their injustice impacted the outcome of a game- but that is precisely what happened.
my own reckoning says that OU deserves to play in the group of four, and because when they play well they play very very well- but.... they kinda screwed themselves. if they're victims, they victimized themselves. Clemson will most likely be in a dogfight with USCe, and they can lose that game. Miami will lose to them there should be little doubt.. and that may be the opening (of likely/possible happenings possible) OU needs. They'll also need help that Bama doesn't slip tomorrow which could open the door for a UGA return (IF they can beat auburn on the rematch).