After seven straight SEC games, Tennessee football faces UTEP in its final non conference game of the season on Saturday afternoon.
The Vols are massive favorites against the Miners and must take care of business if they want to make the expanded College Football Playoffs. But what other games will have a major impact on Tennessee’s chances? Taking a look at the Vol football rooting guide here.
More From RTI: Tennessee Football Settling As Massive Favorites Against UTEP
No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Indiana
Game time: Noon ET
TV Network: Fox
Rooting Guide: Ohio State in lopsided fashion
Reasoning: Ohio State already has one loss but the Buckeyes name value and win at Penn State would get them in the playoffs over Tennessee even with a 10-2 record. That’s not the case for Indiana. Despite being unbeaten, the Hoosiers have a terrible resume. There’s a chance Tennessee could jump Indiana even with one more loss. Especially if it is a blowout.
No. 5 Ole Miss at Florida
Game time: Noon ET
TV Network: ABC
Rooting Guide: Florida
Reasoning: Despite a slightly worse resume, Ole Miss is squarely in the field over Tennessee right now. A loss against Florida would change that and allow Tennessee to leap frog the Rebels. Ole Miss is 12.5-point favorites but the Gators have been playing much better in recent weeks.
No. 19 Army vs. No. 6 Notre Dame
Game time: 7 p.m. ET
TV Network: NBC/Peacock
Rooting Guide: Army
Reasoning: Notre Dame sits ahead of Tennessee in the rankings with one fewer loss. If the Fighting Irish were to drop another game, Tennessee would likely jump them in the rankings. Notre Dame is 14-point favorites in the matchup at Yankee Stadium.
No. 7 Alabama at Oklahoma
Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV Network: ABC
Rooting Guide: Oklahoma
Reasoning: Like Tennessee, Alabama has two losses but the Crimson Tide are four spots ahead of Tennessee in the rankings. An Oklahoma upset would move Tennessee ahead of Alabama. The Crimson Tide are 13.5-point favorites.
No. 15 Texas A&M at Auburn
Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV Network: ESPN
Rooting Guide: Auburn
Reasoning: Texas A&M is behind Tennessee in the rankings but the Aggies could jump the Vols with a win over Texas next week. But a loss against Auburn would eliminate Texas A&M from playoff contention. The Aggies are just 2.5-point road favorites.
Vanderbilt at LSU
Game time: 7:45 p.m. ET
TV Network: SEC Network
Rooting Guide: Vanderbilt
Reasoning: This game doesn’t have any direct College Football Playoff ramifications but a Vanderbilt win would help bolster Tennessee’s resume while a LSU loss would Alabama and Texas A&M’s wins over LSU no longer quality victories. The Tigers are 7.5-point favorites.
