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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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Aug 17, 2019; Honolulu, HI, USA; A general overall view of the Honolulu and Waikiki Beach skyline. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2019; Honolulu, HI, USA; A general overall view of the Honolulu and Waikiki Beach skyline. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl (Friday, Dec. 24)

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors over Memphis Tigers

Similar to the first bowl game on this list, this game is about recruiting battles. There are no top 25 implications here. The Memphis Tigers are 6-6 on the year, and the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors are 6-7. Even if Tennessee football loses its bowl game, it would get consideration for the top 25 over either of these teams no matter what happens.

Recruiting is a bit of a different story, though. Until this year, Memphis was developing into a perennial top 25 Group of Five team. For multiple years in a row, they were considered the best team in the state of Tennessee.

Given the fact that the best talent in the state comes from that area, that’s something the Vols can’t afford to happen. With new NIL rulings, Memphis could entice players to stay home. They are also dangerously close to joining a Power Five conference, as they just missed out on getting into this Big 12 this past year.

As a result, the U of M has become a legitimate threat to UT on the recruiting trail now. You can say Tiger High all you want, but you can’t ignore facts. Vol fans need to start rooting against Memphis at all costs, and this is one of those times.

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