If as rumored, the Rose takes Penn State over Ohio State that pushes TN to the Cotton vs Tulane/UCF. UCF could be a fun matchup for TN with Heupel and our AD. But it's probably viewed as lesser compared to a Orange Bowl matchup vs Clemson.

Obviously the Rose is allowed to do what it wants there but it definitely stings for TN.

Is there any example of the SEC doing the same thing to manipulate bowl matchups?

Does this mean TN fans should be Utah fans this weekend so Ohio State takes USC's place? Or should we accept our Cotton Bowl fate so that only the SEC has ever had two playoff teams?

I wouldn't mind seeing Tennessee in the Orange Bowl or the Rose Bowl. As for the Rose Bowl though, they're practically in bed with the B1G, but not sure about how they will feel about the PAC in the future.

(12-02-2022 09:47 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  I wouldn't mind seeing Tennessee in the Orange Bowl or the Rose Bowl. As for the Rose Bowl though, they're practically in bed with the B1G, but not sure about how they will feel about the PAC in the future.

I think you missed the gist of my point. TN can't go to the Rose; it is either the Sugar, Orange or Cotton. Right now with Alabama ranked higher than TN, TN would go to the Orange because they are ranked higher than Penn St. But if the Rose takes Penn St, Ohio St goes to the Orange because they are ranked higher than TN. That sends TN to the Cotton.

In fact, if LSU beats Georgia, then it could send TN to the Citrus or to the Outback (ReliaQuest) vs Notre Dame.

Georgia in the playoff.
LSU to the Sugar as the SEC Champ
[Ohio State to the Orange]
Alabama to the Cotton

TN to the Citrus.

Can't spell Citrus without UT.

That would be a crushing outcome for TN fans after the season we just had.