It's hard to believe that the 2022 college football season is already halfway over. Through seven weeks of the year, we've seen plenty of surprises, notable upsets, as well as interesting storylines. We've already seen some big head coaching jobs open up, too.
Although 2022 hasn't given us quite as many Top 10 upsets as last season's first seven weeks, this year has been a fun one.
It's not easy to sum up everything that has happened this season in college football. But let's run through the biggest takeaways from the first half of the season.
Tennessee's return to national prominence is the feel-good story of 2022
Just take a minute to look at how much Tennessee beating Alabama for the first time in 15 seasons means to this fanbase:
Tennessee is absolutely a playoff contender, and this team is one of the biggest storylines of the 2022 season. For a team that finished 7-6 last season, the year the Vols have had so far is special.
What makes Tennessee so good is its offense. The unit is so explosive that it put up 567 yards and 52 points on the Tide's defense. Per ESPN Stats & Info, the 52 points is the most Alabama has given up in any game since 1907 against Sewanee (54). This was pretty significant for Nick Saban, too—52 points were the most any of his defenses had allowed since 1996, per Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger. On Sept. 7 that year, Saban's Michigan State team gave up 55 against Nebraska.
Against Alabama, Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker threw for 385 yards and five touchdowns with an interception. On the season, Hooker has 1,817 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. Tennessee has never had a Heisman winner before. Hooker could be the first.
Georgia will be the biggest test for Tennessee and its SEC East title hopes. But even if the Vols were to lose to Georgia and miss out on the SEC Championship Game, a playoff bid would still be on the table.
2022 looks like it might be a season of firsts for Tennessee, starting with beating Alabama for the first time since 2006. A first SEC East title since 2007 and first-ever playoff bid are also still in the cards for the Vols.
Heck of a time to be a Tennessee fan, right?
The preseason playoff favorites still have everything in front of them
Yes, I am including Alabama here, Tennessee fans. Halfway through the season, the preseason Top Four of Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia and Clemson are all still in the hunt to make the College Football Playoff.
Georgia is 7-0, coming off of a 55-0 win over Vanderbilt. With the exception of the close 26-22 win over Missouri in Week 5, Georgia hasn't looked like it will go through a rebuilding year this season.
But for Georgia to make it to the SEC Championship Game for the second season in a row, it has to get past Tennessee on Nov. 5. The Vols, coming off an unbelievable upset over Alabama on Saturday, look like the best team in the SEC East. Tennessee's offense ranks second nationally in scoring, averaging 47.7 points per game. The good news for Georgia is that the game in Athens.
Clemson also looks like its dominant self this season. The Tigers have done a great job at passing tests, too. Clemson needed double overtime to take care of Wake Forest in Week 4 and then beat then-No. 10 NC State at home in Week 5. In Week 7, Clemson went on the road to face a much-improved Florida State team and won 34-28. There are a few important tests remaining for the Tigers. First, Clemson will face undefeated Syracuse at home on Saturday. The Tigers then go on the road to play Notre Dame on Nov. 5. Clemson will close the season, per usual, against South Carolina.