How the Tennessee Vols' nightmare scenario is on the verge of becoming a reality
A couple of days ago, the Tennessee Vols appeared destined for either the Sugar Bowl or the Orange Bowl. Tennessee's 25-point loss to South Carolina earlier this month essentially knocked the Vols out of College Football Playoff contention. The feeling was that if Tennessee was ranked above Alabama on Tuesday night, they'd be heading to the […]
A couple of days ago, the Tennessee Vols appeared destined for either the Sugar Bowl or the Orange Bowl.
Tennessee's 25-point loss to South Carolina earlier this month essentially knocked the Vols out of College Football Playoff contention.
The feeling was that if Tennessee was ranked above Alabama on Tuesday night, they'd be heading to the Sugar Bowl. If the Crimson Tide were ranked higher, the Vols would head to Miami for a likely matchup with Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
When Tuesday night's rankings were revealed, Alabama, despite losing head-to-head to the Volunteers, was ranked one spot ahead of UT at No. 6.
There was disappointment the moment those rankings were dropped — being ranked above Alabama would've been a big deal — but the consolation of possibly playing Clemson in the Orange Bowl kept fans from being too enraged.
It didn't take long, however, for the Orange Bowl dream to turn into a nightmare scenario.
ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, a personality who hasn't made many friends among the Tennessee fan base this season, dropped a bomb on everyone during the College Football Playoff rankings reveal show.
Herbstreit noted that Penn State could be a possibility for the Rose Bowl because the Buckeyes may not want to head back to Pasadena for the second year in a row. He suggested that the Nittany Lions could head to the Rose Bowl while Ohio State could go to the Orange Bowl.
If that scenario happens, it would push Tennessee to the Cotton Bowl for a matchup against either Tulane or UCF.
(Note: The Cotton Bowl is scheduled for Monday, January 2 at 1:00 PM ET.)
The Rose Bowl isn't obligated to take the highest-ranked B1G team. So if Ohio State says they don't want to play in Pasadena, the Rose Bowl could grant their wish and pick Penn State instead. The Orange Bowl automatically takes the ACC Champion (if they don't make the playoff, which neither Clemson nor UNC will) and then the highest-ranked B1G or SEC team. If the Rose Bowl takes Penn State, that means the Orange Bowl would take a higher-ranked Ohio State over Tennessee.
This would be an incredibly unfortunate ending to a special season for the Vols.
Yes, Tennessee blew their chance at the playoff by losing to South Carolina. But the Vols still deserve to play in a marquee bowl game. Either the Sugar Bowl or the Orange Bowl would be a fantastic ending to the season for Tennessee.
Instead, it looks like there's a real chance that Ohio State and Alabama — two programs that seemingly get what they want — will rob the Vols of the chance to play in New Orleans or from getting a shot at Clemson.
Featured image via Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
