Tennessee football controls its own destiny in the College Football Playoffs needing to just take care of business against Vanderbilt to make the 12-team field.
But the Vols are currently just outside the top eight nationally and need some help to be able to host a first round playoff game if they do take care of business. Taking a look at Tennessee’s rivalry week rooting guide including a Friday night football game.
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No. 7 Georgia vs. Georgia Tech
Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday night
TV Network: ABC
Rooting Guide: Georgia Tech
Reasoning: Even if Georgia loses in the SEC Championship, the Vols likely wouldn’t jump the Bulldogs in the CFP rankings. That means Tennessee’s only real hope of jumping Georgia is for the Bulldogs to lose this week and next week. The Bulldogs are 17.5-point home favorites against Georgia Tech.
No. 15 South Carolina vs. No. 12 Clemson
Game time: Noon ET on Saturday
TV Network: ESPN
Rooting Guide: Your choice
Reasoning: This game has no impact on Tennessee so the choice is yours. South Carolina winning would be a major feather in the SEC’s cap. But it would also be a big time win for Shane Beamer and South Carolina, potentially propelling them into the playoffs and starting the hype train for next season.
USC vs. No. 5 Notre Dame
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday
TV Network: CBS
Rooting Guide: USC
Reasoning: If you want a bit of nostalgia, listen to Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson call a game with major ramifications for Tennessee. If the Trojans pull the upset, Tennessee will jump Notre Dame and host a playoff game. This is the most clear path to that happening with USC being just 7.5-point underdogs.
No. 4 Penn State vs. Maryland
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday
TV Network: Big 10 Network
Rooting Guide: Maryland
Reasoning: The Terrapins pulling the upset would have the same affect as USC pulling off the upset. It’s just much more unlikely. Penn State is 25-point favorites in this game.
No. 21 Missouri vs. Arkansas
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday
TV Network: SEC Network
Rooting Guide: Arkansas
Reasoning: This game doesn’t have any huge ramifications on Tennessee but Arkansas would improve to 7-5 with a win which would make the Vols loss in Fayetteville not look too bad. Missouri is three-point favorites over the Razorbacks.
LSU vs. Oklahoma
Game time: 7 p.m. ET on Saturday
TV Network: ESPN
Rooting Guide: Oklahoma
Reasoning: Similar situation here with the Arkansas game. It doesn’t have any direct implications on Tennessee’s playoff situation. But an Oklahoma win would help Tennessee’s win in Norman look more impressive after the Vols were getting no love for it earlier in the season.
No. 20 Texas A&M vs. No. 3 Texas
Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday
TV Network: ABC
Rooting Guide: Texas A&M
Reasoning: The Aggies winning as 5.5-point favorites would potentially put Tennessee ahead of Texas in the rankings and would possibly clinch a home playoff game. The Aggies could end up jumping Tennessee with a win over Texas and Georgia in the SEC Championship so this path is less clear. But the Aggies beating Texas would definitely be better for Tennessee.
