How the Tennessee Vols could still land in the Orange Bowl if Ohio State declines the Rose Bowl
The Tennessee Vols will know by Sunday evening which bowl game they'll be playing in this season. Before Tuesday night's College Football Playoff rankings reveal, the feeling was that Tennessee was locked into an appearance in the Sugar Bowl or the Orange Bowl, depending on where Alabama was ranked. ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, however, threw a […]
The Tennessee Vols will know by Sunday evening which bowl game they'll be playing in this season.
Before Tuesday night's College Football Playoff rankings reveal, the feeling was that Tennessee was locked into an appearance in the Sugar Bowl or the Orange Bowl, depending on where Alabama was ranked.
ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, however, threw a wrench in those plans when he randomly brought up that Penn State could be heading to the Rose Bowl because Ohio State doesn't necessarily want to return to Pasadena for a second straight season.
If Ohio State pushes to not play in the Rose Bowl, the feeling is that they would go to the Orange Bowl instead. That would likely push Tennessee to the Cotton Bowl.
So instead of a matchup with Clemson, the Vols would probably take on Tulane or UCF in a less-appealing game.
Ohio State going to the Orange Bowl, however, isn't guaranteed to happen.
That's because the Orange Bowl isn't technically obligated to take the highest-ranked B1G or SEC team.
According to the Orange Bowl's website, they're obligated to take the ACC champion (if they don't make the playoff and neither Clemson nor North Carolina will be making it). But when it comes to the other team, the Orange Bowl just has to take a "top" SEC or B1G team.
"Top" is obviously subjective.
The Orange Bowl could theoretically choose Tennessee over Ohio State.
And they might be motivated to do just that.
A matchup between Clemson (assuming Clemson beats UNC in the ACC Championship Game) and the Vols could be extremely appealing to the Orange Bowl. Tennessee fans travel well and they'd be excited for a chance to take on Dabo Swinney and the Tigers (especially after Dabo's flipping burgers comments). That would be one of the few non-playoff bowl games that could generate some old-school bowl hype.
Ohio State fans travel well, too. But with CJ Stroud potentially opting out of the game, the Buckeyes might not be as appealing.
Tennessee obviously won't have Hendon Hooker under center, but Joe Milton would provide plenty of excitement. His big arm has already provided a few memorable moments this season. And there would likely be a lot of eyes on Milton in the Orange Bowl as folks — including non-Tennessee fans — will be intrigued to see what Milton can do on a big stage as he makes his case to be the Vols' starting quarterback next season.
If the Orange Bowl wants as many eyes on the game as possible, inviting Tennessee could be their best bet.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
