The first College Football Playoff rankings reveal that Tennessee has work to do.

The Vols came in at No. 13 — and even with how wonky the initial rankings may be — a win on Saturday against Kentucky would go a long way. Here are five keys to the game for the Vols.

1. To bye or not to bye. The media and coaches often play a narrative that some would rather not take the week off, instead opting to keep their routine and momentum from the regular season. Tennessee finally gets a week off after eight straight games, so it's time to put to the test if the Vols come out of the bye better than before. A quick start would be ideal to dispel any rust from a week off, and to quickly put the South Carolina loss out of mind.

2. Bounce back. As I ended key No. 1, a bounce back — especially with a razor-thin College Football Playoff ranking that offers no room for error — will be key for Tennessee. Head coach Josh Heupel has only lost back-to-back games four times as a head coach in nine seasons. A good dose of Listerine coming off the South Carolina heartbreaker would be good for the team and fans alike on Saturday.

3. Defense stay hot. The Vols have leaned on their defense this season as a backbone, and Saturday should be no different. The Wildcats average 32.9 points per game and have a genius offensive head coach in Will Stein. A raucous Neyland Stadium and a hungry defense could quickly put Kentucky in a position they've come used to on the football field — losing to Tennessee.

4. DeSean Bishop. That's the key. Bishop continues to be the workhorse for UT and is putting together a National Player of the Year campaign. The former walk-on and Karns alum has 11 rushing touchdowns and could become the first Doak Walker Award winner in school history. He's second in the SEC in all-purpose yards per game with 127.6, and UT needs him at his best.

5. Get enough in the passing game. George MacIntyre has established that he doesn't have to be great every night for Tennessee to win. He's also proven that an average night is just enough for UT to pair with a strong ground game and defense. The Vols need exactly that on Saturday — just enough from MacIntyre, while taking care of the ball, to come away with the win.

Source: Yahoo Sports