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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 26, 2018; Dallas, TX, United States; Scoreboard showing the game between the Boston College Eagles and the Boise State Broncos was cancelled in the 2018 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2018; Dallas, TX, United States; Scoreboard showing the game between the Boston College Eagles and the Boise State Broncos was cancelled in the 2018 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl (Tuesday, Dec. 28)

Louisville Cardinals over Air Force Falcons

Once again, this is a bowl game on a just in case basis. The Louisville Cardinals come into this game with a 6-6 record, and in their most recent outing, they were blown out by the Kentucky Wildcats. As a result, no matter what happens in bowl season, nothing Louisville does can warrant them any consideration over Tennessee football.

On the other side, the Air Force Falcons come in with a 9-3 record. They lost all three games by one score, so they are a really good team. A 49-45 loss to Utah State is the only reason they didn’t compete for the Mountain West Championship, but it was close.

Although neither team is receiving votes in either poll, Air Force could end up receiving votes if they win this game. They would then finish with a 10-3 record, two games better than the Vols, and the MWC is an upper-echelon Group of Five school.

If Air Force loses and the Vols win, though, there’s no reasonable person who would give Air Force any consideration over UT at the end of the season. As a result, just to make sure something doesn’t happen, Vol fans should root for Louisville to pull this one out.

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