Tennessee could be heading to a bowl game destination that fans will hate, but it could be a big positive for the Vols
The Tennessee Vols will found out their bowl game destination on Sunday.
The Tennessee Vols could be heading to a bowl game that won’t generate much excitement on Rocky Top.
In fact, it’ll probably do the opposite.
One bowl game destination that’s reportedly looking like a strong option for Tennessee is the Music City Bowl in Nashville.
While it would be great for fans to get to see the Vols play in-state one more time this season, the Music City Bowl is a destination that Tennessee fans probably want to avoid, considering UT’s past experiences in the game.
In 2010, Tennessee lost to North Carolina in overtime after a late penalty extended the Music City Bowl.
In 2021, the Vols faced controversy in the Music City Bowl when a forward progress call kept a Jaylen Wright touchdown off the board, securing Purdue’s win.
Tennessee had a “normal” win against Nebraska in the 2016 Music City Bowl, but it’s a game that’s otherwise been a house of horrors for the Vols.
Vols insider shares the latest on Tennessee’s bowl game options
VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs laid out several potential bowl game scenarios for the Vols on Friday during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will.
Hubbs seems to think the Vols’ bowl game destination will either be the Music City Bowl in Nashville or the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville.
“The bowl destination will come out on Sunday,” explained Hubbs. “To me, the bowl destination is either going to be Nashville or Jacksonville. And that depends on, to me right now, if Alabama gets in the playoffs. Then that, to me, will determine what Jacksonville does and what Nashville does in terms of league slots and pecking order, that type of thing.”
“Does Jacksonville want Tennessee? I think Nashville is very interested in Tennessee. You have LSU, which is a unique situation, with all of their coaching changes down there. How attractive are they to bowl people? And what do you do with Missouri? Missouri was in Nashville last year. Missouri is not coming back to Nashville this year. So does Missouri land in Jacksonville, or do they land in Charlotte? And where is the LSU factor? But I think if Missouri ends up in Jacksonville, then Nashville is sitting there with Tennessee or LSU as their options. With in-state ticket sales, does Tennessee makes sense? I’d say it does to some people on the committee. But I think we have to see what Jacksonville does as well, and how the league wants to slot that out. Because Vanderbilt is going to go no worse than Tampa (ReliaQuest Bowl), and rightfully so. And then if Texas is not in the playoffs, they’re going to be in Orlando (Citrus Bowl) or Tampa, one or the other.”
The Music City Bowl probably isn’t where Tennessee wants to land, but it would be better than ending up in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, which is a scenario that’s also possible for the Volunteers.
Hubbs explained that no program wants to play in Charlotte because that game will be played on the same day the transfer portal opens (Jan. 2).
“I think what’s interesting with the coaches and programs is they’re not interested in the game in Charlotte because it’s January 2 at 8:00 PM,” said Hubbs. “The portal opens that day. You don’t want to lose two days of portal work.”
Avoiding that scenario — even if it means playing in the Music City Bowl — would be a big win for Tennessee. The last thing the Vols need is a roadblock to landing portal talent.
This weekend’s conference championship game results will help finalize bowl game destinations, which will be revealed on Sunday.
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