Tennessee football has its first of two open dates this season on Saturday coming off its SEC opening win at Oklahoma last week. While Tennessee won’t be on the field this week, there’s still plenty of games in the SEC and across the country that will have an affect on the Vols.
Here’s a look at a Tennessee football rooting guide for the open date.
More From RTI: Tennessee Football’s Open Date Stock Report
No. 6 Ole Miss vs. Kentucky
Tennessee faces Kentucky later this season and doesn’t have Ole Miss on the schedule. But Lane Kiffin and the Rebels are a playoff contender like Josh Heupel and the Vols.
That means that Vol fans should be pulling for their rival Kentucky to pull the upset. Now that’s unlikely as Ole Miss is 16-point favorites but even Kentucky giving the Rebels a competitive game would be a good sign as the sixth-ranked Rebels haven’t faced a real test yet this season.
Rooting Guide: Kentucky
No. 15 Louisville vs. No. 16 Notre Dame
One of four top 25 matchups this week, this is one of the most important games for Tennessee. Notre Dame is a legit College Football Playoff contender and as an independent, they’re a team Tennessee does not want to steal a bid.
But with a loss against Northern Illinois already, one more loss might be enough to keep the Fighting Irish out. It would guarantee that they won’t steal a bid from a 10-2 Tennessee.
Rooting Guide: Louisville
No. 13 Southern Cal vs. Wisconsin
Despite a loss at Michigan next week, Southern Cal is still a very real playoff contender. A home matchup against Penn State and a road trip to Notre Dame are its only big test remaining.
The Trojans are 13-point favorites against Wisconsin but its not an easy win either.
Rooting Guide: Wisconsin
Auburn vs. Oklahoma
Tennessee expected matchups against NC State and Oklahoma to be potential quality wins on its resume. NC State is not going to be a quality win and if Oklahoma’s offense continues to struggle it might not be either.
This is a win both teams need badly. It bodes well for Tennessee if the Sooners bounce back and get the win.
Rooting Guide: Oklahoma
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas
The Aggies and Razorbacks collide in their annual rivalry matchup in Dallas. There’s no playoff ramifications in this game and it’s tricky from a rooting interest. Tennessee needs more quality opponents and they get Arkansas next week. The flip side of that is if Arkansas looks good then that game on the road could be far from an easy win.
Still, I think Tennessee fans should root for the Razorbacks and have confidence in their ability to win at Arkansas.
Rooting Guide: Arkansas
No. 9 Penn State vs. No. 19 Illinois
This is basically the same story as the Southern Cal-Wisconsin game. Penn State seems like a real threat to make the playoff like Southern Cal and are significant favorites.
But if Illinois were to pull the upset then there would be an argument for the Fighting Illini to be playoff contenders. I still think Tennessee fans should be pulling for Illinois though.
Rooting Guide: Illinois
No. 4 Alabama vs. No 2 Georgia
I’m going to be honest, I have no idea who winning is better for Tennessee in this one. I do think Georgia being undefeated when they face Tennessee is the best case for the Vols to win in Athens. But the Bulldogs will have matchups against Texas and Ole Miss between now and then.
Alabama would certainly have more urgency when they head to Knoxville if they lost this game but I still feel like Tennessee and the Crimson Tide are similarly good while Georgia is a tad better.
Rooting Guide: Whoever you hate less
