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Tennessee football 2021-22 bowl game rooting guide: Vols’ path to top 25

By Caleb Calhoun

Smokey and the Volunteer celebrate a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football
Smokey and the Volunteer celebrate a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football /
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Dec 21, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A general view at Tropicana Field prior to the 2017 Gasparilla Bowl between the FIU Panthers and the Temple Owls. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A general view at Tropicana Field prior to the 2017 Gasparilla Bowl between the FIU Panthers and the Temple Owls. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl (Thursday, Dec. 23)

Florida Gators over UCF Knights

Once again, there is a recruiting factor with here that almost gave the UCF Knights the edge. Tennessee football will always compete with the Florida Gators on everything, and with Billy Napier arriving there, Vol fans should root for Florida to fall apart in every way possible. That means less competition for them and a chance to finally catch back up in the series.

Honestly, recruiting is the biggest factor here, so rooting for UCF was almost the key. However, two things outweigh it. For starters, neither is getting votes in the top 25, but UCF is 8-4, so if Gus Malzahn’s team wins to get to 9-4, having a better record by one game could warrant them consideration over UT.

At 6-6, Florida isn’t getting any consideration, win or lose. That’s one reason to root for them. The other is so the Vols’ can increase their quality opponent reputation. Florida is their one bad loss this year, but losing to a 7-6 team on the road that doesn’t look as bad.

On the same day as this game, the North Texas Mean Green and Miami (Ohio) RedHawks will face off in the Frisco Football Classic, but both teams are 6-6, neither played UT and there are no recruiting implications. As a result, that bowl is irrelevant.

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