When it comes to the bowl picture, Tennessee didn't do itself any favors with a lopsided loss at Ole Miss on Saturday.
Tennessee still needs another win to become bowl eligible, but here's a look at how things could shake out when bids go out three weeks from now (and assuming both Alabama and Florida remain in line for BCS berths as well):
If Tennessee finishes 7-5...
The Vols would still be an attractive choice, in large part because a 7-5 finish means they ended the season 4-1 and winners of five of their last seven games. Positive momentum means a lot when it comes to bowl bids, and at 7-5, the Vols would have it.
Georgia's win over Auburn muddied the waters a little bit. The Bulldogs have a chance to finish 8-4, but they've got Kentucky on Saturday followed by a trip to Georgia Tech, which is 10-1 and 5-0 at home this season.
The biggest impact on Tennessee's bowl fortunes (aside from getting that sixth win) would be for LSU to win at least one of its last two games.
Should Arkansas upset LSU in the final weekend, it means the Razorbacks could well be 8-4, and that could open the door for the West to have three attractive choices for the Capital One Bowl, Outback Bowl or Cotton Bowl.
That's not to say Tennessee would be shutout from those games, but they'd be a tougher choice at 7-5 against what could be three 8-4 teams from the West. (Of course if three teams finished 8-4 in the West, that would mean that Auburn beat Alabama - potentially knocking the Tide out of a BCS game and changing the entire bowl landscape for the SEC...)
Still, the odds are pretty good that even at 7-5, the Vols could still be the Outback Bowl's top choice. And it's really hard to see Tennessee falling past the Chick-fil-A Bowl if they win these next two games.
Crystal Ball: I'm going to pick the Chick-fil-A if UT would finish 7-5, simply because too much can still happen the last two weeks to change the Vols' spot in the pecking order.
If Tennessee finishes 6-6...
Things will really get interesting.
A 6-6 finish means either the Vols' mind-boggling win streak over Kentucky ended (or just gave in to hypothermia during UT's first-ever night game in Lexington) or they lost to a 2-9 Vanderbilt team. Either way, momentum - and in all likelihood a shot at an upper-tier bowl game - went out the window.
If the Vols split their remaining two games, look for an in-state bowl trip from either the Music City Bowl in Nashville or the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. Neither one has hosted Tennessee, meaning they would likely view the chance as a rare opportunity. A heavy turnout from Vols fans in Oxford last weekend won't be lost on the Liberty Bowl folks, either.
Crystal Ball: My best guess (and that's all it is) would be the Music City Bowl if UT finishes 6-6.
At least we have a chance of bowl eligibility under the reins of Kiffin's first year! That's positive reinforcement and here's to a new future. GO VOLS!!!
I could not be happier about how the Vols have been performing. With the exception of the ignorance off the field by a few players the rest of the team has performed beautifuly. I think we have a lot to look forward to in the future as fans.
We have gone to the Liberty Bowl: 1986 vs. Minnesota where we had a big crowd and a win.
haven't heard anything ref. our guy who was carried from the field in miss. sat. Was it a neck injury? what's his status?
Mark -
Good call.
I should have chosen my words better in the post. What I should have said is that neither the Music City or the Liberty Bowl have hosted Tennessee in the current SEC bowl configuration.
The Vols have played in the Liberty Bowl three times ('71, '74 and '86).
- Drew
Iceman (or is it Casey...)-
LaMarcus is pretty sore, but he's doing fine. He was taken to the hospital in Oxford but returned with the team.
Kiffin said Thompson could possibly play against Vandy.
It's always scary when a player stays down that long, but in LaMarcus' case it was the training staff doing a great job and taking every precaution.
Hope that answers your question.
- Drew
Drew,
Any word of who will be taking snaps next year?
Drew,
Long time fan of the Vols. I just wanted to say after the UCLA game I didn't think much of the New Coach. But, how he Stood-Up for Cropmton, and how the Quarterback turned in to a # 1 Pro. I think Coach Lane Kiffin should be Coach of the Year in the SEC. Let's Go Bowling A Vol Tradition.
I would love to play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, because we would probably play Virginia Tech. I think it's only wishful thinking for us to go to the Cotton Bowl, so I think our best bet is the Outback. Plus, Tampa has Busch Gardens. That will give me something to do the day before. GO VOLS!!!!!
On the "historic" night game with Kentucky, Didn't I go to a night game with them last year??
My wife and I are attending our first game in Neyland Stadium this weekend as the Vols play Vanderbilt. We are coming from Montgomery, Alabama. My friends who are Alabama and Auburn fans have asked me why we would drive all that way just too see a football game. I replied because it is football time in TENNESSEE!!!
Ron --
With Crompton gone after this season, Nick Stephens has the inside track on the job. The Vols will certainly address quarterback in recruiting. But since UT signs my paycheck, I can't talk about specific recruits.
Stephens should benefit from having a whole year under his belt in this system. The last starting quarterback who could say that was Erik Ainge (although Crompton had two years with Cutcliffe, too).
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that quarterback may not be the Vols' biggest concern on offense next year. Only one starter (Aaron Douglas) returns on the offensive line, and it's hard to do much of anything without solid play up front. Douglas has a really bright future, but the Vols need to find at least five or six more guys up front who can contribute.
I've been impressed with what James Cregg and GA Mitch Browning have done up front this year, as well as coordinator Jim Chaney. They've gotten guys ready to play and comfortable on the line within their system. UT's coaches have also been able to mask some weaknesses up front, too.
All that said, though, it will be really interesting to see how next year's team comes together in spring practice and fall camp.
- Drew
William, My son and I will be driving up from Birmingham for the game Saturday too. We have been to the Western Kentucky, Ohio, and Auburn games this year too. You will love the feel of a live football game in Tennesse and getting to see Neyland Stadium. Come early because parking is hard to find and be sure to attend the Vol Walk. You will see some fans on the interstate in Alabama but will run into most of them when you hit the Tenn Line. But no matter where you drive show your colors. We have run into other fans in Tampa, Orlando or other places in the country and always get a friendly wave from other Tenn fans. All my friends in Alabama know our blood runs Orange. Go VOLS