2015 Bowl Games: A Rooting Guide for Tennessee Vols Football Fans

Dec 20, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; A general view of the scoreboard before the Utah Utes and Colorado State Rams Las Vegas Bowl game at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl

Who: BYU Cougars vs. Utah Utes

When: Saturday, Dec. 19 at 3:30 p.m.

Where: Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.

TV: ABC

Who Vols Fans Should Root For: BYU Cougars

As of right now, the Utah Utes are ranked ahead of the Tennessee Vols in all three major polls, including the College Football Playoff Rankings and the AP and Coaches Polls. Since the Vols are out of the Top 25 in the latter two while the Utes are at No. 20, a unanimous Top 25 finish could really be helped out by Utah losing.

Tennessee, obviously, has to win its bowl game, which is clearly the most important part of this whole scenario and one we will mention a lot through these rankings.

BYU, meanwhile, is no threat to surpass the Vols if both teams win. Tennessee is receiving more votes than the Cougars in all of the polls, and they play a tougher team in their bowl game. So if Tennessee wins, they remain ahead of BYU.

And if BYU wins along with Tennessee, the Vols would jump the Utes in all of those major polls. So everybody in Knoxville should be hardcore BYU fans.

Next: Camellia Bowl: Ohio-Appalachian State