On a potentially pivotal Saturday for the College Football Playoff picture for the SEC and beyond,
was quietly handling its business by blowing out UTEP, overcoming a sluggish start to overwhelm the Conference USA visitors in the regular-season finale at Neyland Stadium. The Vols scored 28 points in the second quarter to take command and poured on 21 points in the third quarter to make the fourth quarter academic in a 56-0 victory, Tennessee’s ninth of the 2024 season. Bru McCoy (two touchdown catches) and Boo Carter (two punt returns to set up touchdowns) played key roles and a slew of young players starred for the Vols, from quarterback Nico Iamaleava and cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III to running back Peyton Lewis and tight end Ethan Davis…