Coming off a massive win over Alabama, Tennessee football has its second of two open dates of the season on Saturday ahead of the five-week stretch run of the season. 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.
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No. 12 Notre Dame vs. No. 24 Navy
One of the sneaky great games of the week, Notre Dame and Navy resume their rivalry at noon ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Notre Dame currently sits at one loss while Navy is undefeated and vying for the group of five bid to the playoff.
The Fighting Irish already have one loss and a second loss would likely put them behind a 10-2 Tennessee team in the CFP race. Easy call here.
Rooting Guide: Navy
No. 13 Indiana vs. Washington
College Gameday is in Bloomington for undefeated Indiana to face off against three-loss Washington. Despite the discrepancy in record, this is just a 6.5-point spread.
Another pretty easy rooting guide for Tennessee fans, Washington is out of playoff contention. Indiana is unbeaten but has a likely loss against Ohio State lingering on the schedule. Having the Hoosiers go 10-2 or worse is beneficial for Tennessee.
Rooting Guide: Washington
No. 20 Illinois at No. 1 Oregon
Illinois rolls into Autzen Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET with one loss against undefeated and top-ranked Oregon. I’m sticking with the theme of the last game. Tennessee should be rooting for all the second tier Big 10 teams to lose as many games as possible to increase the likelihood of a 10-2 Tennessee team getting in.
Even with a loss against Illinois, it’s difficult to chart a path where Oregon misses the playoffs.
Rooting Guide: Oregon
No. 15 Alabama vs. No. 21 Missouri
Alright Tennessee fans, don’t throw a punch at me through the laptop. It is better for Tennessee if Alabama wins this game. The Crimson Tide already have two losses, including one against Tennessee, and have a great chance for a third loss next week at LSU.
Missouri only has one loss with its final four games being: Oklahoma, at South Carolina, at Mississippi State and vs. Arkansas. They could lose either of the South Carolina and Arkansas game for sure but they could also run the table, go 11-1 and have priority over Tennessee in the playoffs. Now I don’t think that’s going to happen but it is in play.
The Vols should have priority over Alabama from this point on due to their home win over the Crimson Tide. I’m not going to tell you to root for Alabama. That feels dirty and like a good way to get angry messages in my Twitter DMs. But I do think it would be better for Tennessee!
Better For Tennessee’s CFP Hopes: Alabama
No. 25 Vanderbilt vs. No. 5 Texas
Coming off its first loss of the season, Texas comes to Nashville where Vanderbilt is trying to recreate the magic from earlier this month. This one is clear cut for me, Tennessee should be rooting for Vanderbilt.
First off, a Texas loss is better for Tennessee’s hopes of making the SEC Championship game if they upset Georgia. Second off, if Texas loses this one then its College Football Playoff hopes are starting to become ver shaky.
Then finally, Tennessee’s schedule is pretty awful. NC State and Oklahoma have massively underachieved. Vanderbilt getting to eight or nine wins is really Tennessee’s only chance besides Georgia to add a second good win to its resume.
Rooting Guide: Vanderbilt
Wisconsin vs. No. 3 Penn State
Wisconsin is playing sneakily better football as of late and is just 6.5-point home favorites against Penn State. I think the Nittany Lions will still probably make the playoffs if they lose this one, but a loss could potentially help Tennessee’s seeding.
Rooting Guide: Wisconsin
No. 14 Texas A&M vs. No. 8 LSU
The two SEC teams that lost in week one and haven’t yet lost in conference play collide on Saturday night in College Station. Because of the similar boat that these two teams are in, I don’t think it makes a huge difference who wins for Tennessee’s stake.
LSU still has a road trip to Alabama and Florida as well as a home game against Vanderbilt left. Texas A&M still has a road trip to South Carolina and a home game against Texas. I’d say that the Aggies schedule is more challenging. Because of that, it’s probably slightly better for Texas A&M to earn the win.
Rooting Guide: Texas A&M
