As Championship Week approaches, Tennessee football fans find themselves in an unfamiliar but exciting position—monitoring the College Football Playoff (CFP) race with vested interest, even though the Volunteers aren’t in contention this year. With Tennessee finishing the regular season on a strong note, their bowl destination is already secured. However, how Championship Week plays out will have ripple effects across the college football landscape, including bowl matchups and conference dynamics that impact the Vols.
For Tennessee fans, the question is: Who should they root for during the conference championships? Let’s break down the key scenarios and how they align with Tennessee’s best interests.
The most anticipated matchup of Championship Week pits Georgia against Alabama. For Tennessee fans, this game holds significant importance, not just because of SEC bragging rights but also for how it might shape the CFP landscape.
If Georgia wins, the Bulldogs will secure the No. 1 seed in the Playoff, maintaining the SEC’s dominance on the national stage. While some Tennessee fans might balk at rooting for Georgia, a Bulldog victory keeps Alabama out of the Playoff conversation—a preferable outcome for Vols fans. Alabama has long been a thorn in Tennessee’s side, and seeing the Tide miss the CFP would be a satisfying conclusion to
Michigan enters the Big Ten Championship as heavy favorites against Iowa. A Wolverine victory would solidify Michigan’s spot in the CFP and continue their dominance in the Big Ten. While Tennessee has no direct rivalry with Michigan, a stable and predictable CFP picture might work in the Vols’ favor.
The chaos scenario here would be an Iowa upset, which could open the door for a two-loss non-champion like Alabama to sneak into the CFP. Tennessee fans should root for Michigan to avoid giving the committee a reason to favor Alabama or other SEC teams at Tennessee’s expense in bowl placements.
The Pac-12 Championship features a rematch between Washington and Oregon, with CFP implications hanging in the balance. Both teams have had stellar seasons, but Oregon enters as a slight favorite despite Washington’s undefeated record.
For Tennessee fans, it’s likely better for Washington to win this game and secure a CFP spot. A Washington victory would maintain some clarity in the Playoff picture, whereas an Oregon win might create a logjam of one-loss teams vying for a top-four spot.
Texas is on the cusp of earning a CFP berth if they defeat Oklahoma State. For Tennessee fans, this game presents an interesting dilemma. Texas’ resurgence in the SEC next year could make them a future rival, but for now, the Longhorns earning a Playoff spot is preferable to any chaos that might allow Alabama or other SEC teams to slip in.
Florida State’s undefeated season is at stake against a strong Louisville team in the ACC Championship. For Tennessee fans, rooting for Florida State to win keeps the CFP picture straightforward. An FSU loss, especially with questions about their quarterback situation following Jordan Travis’ injury, could cause the committee to consider a two-loss SEC team like Alabama, which is not ideal for Tennessee.
Root for: **Florida State**
The common theme for Tennessee fans is rooting for stability and avoiding scenarios where Alabama sneaks into the CFP. An Alabama appearance in the Playoff could diminish the prestige of Tennessee’s bowl matchup and continue the Crimson Tide’s reign over the SEC narrative.
By rooting for the favorites—Georgia, Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Florida State—Tennessee fans can ensure a clean CFP race while keeping the SEC bowl hierarchy intact.
While the Vols aren’t in the Playoff this season, their trajectory under Josh Heupel remains promising. Tennessee fans should view Championship Week not only as an opportunity to influence the national picture through fandom but also as motivation for what could be possible in the near future. With the expanded CFP format set to begin next season, Tennessee’s chances of earning a spot will increase significantly.
For now, Tennessee fans should embrace their role as spectators of the CFP race, with an eye on securing a marquee bowl win that sets the stage for an even brighter 2025 season. Championship Week offers plenty of drama, and the Vols’ fanbase has a vested interest in how it unfolds.