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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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BOCA RATON, FL – SEPTEMBER 1: A giant American flag is unfurled prior to the game between the Florida Atlantic Owls and the Navy Midshipmen on September 1, 2017 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
BOCA RATON, FL – SEPTEMBER 1: A giant American flag is unfurled prior to the game between the Florida Atlantic Owls and the Navy Midshipmen on September 1, 2017 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl (Saturday, Dec. 18)

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers over Appalachian State Mountaineers

Games like this are actually pretty straightforward. One team is receiving votes in both polls, and another isn’t. Not only is another not receiving votes in those polls, but there’s no chance they would receive any votes over Tennessee football should the Vols win their game.

In this case, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have no shot of receiving anything over UT. Sure, former Tennessee football offensive coordinator Tyson Helton’s team played for the Conference-USA Championship after winning the East. However, with an 8-5 record, they have no shot at the top 25 or probably even to receive votes at the end of the year.

If the Vols and WKU win their bowl games, an 8-5 UT team will get votes before any 9-5 C-USA team. As a result, Vol fans should root hardcore for WKU in this one. This gives them a chance to leapfrog one of the teams getting votes ahead of them.

On the other side, the Appalachian State Mountaineers are receiving nine votes in the AP Poll and two votes in the Coaches Poll. At 10-3, they just played for the Sun Belt Championship. A loss by them and a win by UT clears the Vols’ path to move ahead at least one of the teams.

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