Controversial ESPN host backs the Vols in College Football Playoff conversation
The Tennessee Vols might be the most talked about college football program in the country right now. Tennessee's emergence as a College Football Playoff contender combined with the fact that UT isn't for sure in the playoff just yet has led to a daily conversation about the Vols on ESPN and other sports networks. UT […]
The Tennessee Vols might be the most talked about college football program in the country right now.
Tennessee's emergence as a College Football Playoff contender combined with the fact that UT isn't for sure in the playoff just yet has led to a daily conversation about the Vols on ESPN and other sports networks.
UT is currently at No. 5 in the playoff rankings. They likely need TCU and/or USC to lose to guarantee a playoff berth.
ESPN's Stephen A Smith, however, doesn't feel think Tennessee should need a TCU loss to get into the playoff. Smith said on Wednesday on First Take that he thinks the Vols should get in over TCU regardless.
And he passionately made it clear that he's pulling for Tennessee.
"Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt is something special to behold," said Smith. "I'm actually rooting for Tennessee. I'm rooting for Tennessee more than TCU. I'm rooting for Tennessee more than Michigan. I ain't gonna lie about that."
Smith is one of the most influential voices in sports media. His reach is astronomical compared to other talking heads. Smith's decision to back the Vols is important.
The committee is made up of humans, not computers. And they see the national conversation that's happening. And while that's not supposed to influence their decisions, it's inevitable that some of the things they hear are going to have an impact on their choices.
So when they hear Smith passionately backing the Vols, maybe it cancels out former Georgia defender/current ESPN commentator David Pollack's take that Tennessee shouldn't be in. Or former Alabama quarterback/current ESPN employee Greg McElroy saying the Vols need USC to lose to get in.
The national conversation matters. And Smith, along with Rece Davis, appears to be one of the few allies that Tennessee has in this fight.
Featured image via Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK