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Tennessee football rooting guide for 2021 Conference Championship games

By Caleb Calhoun

Smokey runs on the field during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football
Smokey runs on the field during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football /
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Nov 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) hands off to running back Israel Abanikanda (2) against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) hands off to running back Israel Abanikanda (2) against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

9. ACC Championship

Pittsburgh Panthers over Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Both teams are 10-2, and the winner will be the only ACC team to go to a New Years Six bowl this year. The Pittsburgh Panthers are No. 15 in the College Football Playoff ranking and in the Coaches Poll. They are No. 17 in the AP Poll. Meanwhile, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons are No. 16 in the CFP rankings and No. 18 in the AP and Coaches Polls.

On paper, this game will have minimal impact on Tennessee football taking all that into account as well. However, the Vols have a little bit more of a stake in this one, and that stake specifically comes down to schedule strength. They lost to Pitt earlier in the year, and if Pitt wins the Atlantic Coast Conference, it doesn’t look as bad.

Beyond just schedule strength, though, there’s a top 25 finish to a lesser degree. Look, if Wake loses, there’s a very slim chance they end up finishing behind the Vols in the top 25 ranking should they also lose their bowl game and UT win its bowl game.

Heck, the two could face off in a bowl if Wake loses, adding to that possibility. Pitt, on the other hand, has no chance of finishing below UT unless the two face off in a bowl, which won’t happen. Them being higher than Wake now and having beaten the Vols makes that doubly less likely.

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