Where will Tennessee go bowling?
The Volunteers and the rest of the SEC will learn their postseason assignments when the league office announces the pairings this afternoon. Until then, don’t believe everything you hear or see on Twitter. Tennessee was heading to one or two different bowls last year before landing somewhat surprisingly in the TaxSlayer Bowl.
Here are four postseason possibilities, in no particular order, for Tennessee.
CITRUS BOWL
‘ When: New Year’s Day at 1 p.m. (ABC)
‘ Where: Orlando, Fla.
‘ Payout: $4.25 million
‘ Possible opponents: It likely would be Michigan, though the Big Ten championship game loser could drop out of the College Football Playoff bowls.
‘ Memory vault: The Vols are 4-1 in the Citrus Bowl with three notable wins in the game. In 1996 Tennessee knocked off Ohio State and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George. Peyton Manning threw for a program bowl record 408 yards against Northwestern the next season. Tennessee’s 2001 team eviscerated Michigan.
‘ Chances it happens: There was only one bowl with a representative in Knoxville for Tennessee’s regular-season finale against Vanderbilt, and it was the Citrus Bowl. As enticing as a Vols-Wolverines matchup would be, the Citrus likely will go a different direction. The Citrus is planning on taking Florida or Ole Miss, with LSU and Georgia also under consideration.
OUTBACK BOWL
‘ When: New Year’s Day at noon (ESPN2)
‘ Where: Tampa, Fla.
‘ Payout: $3.5 million
‘ Possible opponents: Assuming Michigan isn’t available, Northwestern would be the likely pick.
‘ Memory vault: Heath Shuler’s performance (245 passing yards, four total touchdowns) in Tennessee’s blowout of Boston College in the 1993 Hall of Fame Bowl edges out Antonio Wardlow’s game-saving final-minute interception against Wisconsin in 2008.
‘ Chances it happens: Pretty strong. Tennessee made the Outback Bowl its priority this week, and the bowl is likewise interested in hosting the Vols. The expectation all week has been Tennessee will go to the Outback Bowl, and the only scenario that may trouble Tennessee’s hopes of landing in Tampa is if the Citrus passes on Florida – say, for LSU and Michigan alum Les Miles – and prompts the Outback to go with the home-state Gators.
BELK BOWL
‘ When: Dec. 30 at 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
‘ Where: Charlotte, N.C.
‘ Payout: $1.7 million
‘ Possible opponents: Pittsburgh and former Tennessee quarterback Nathan Peterman, Virginia Tech in Frank Beamer’s final game and North Carolina State are the Belk’s options out of the ACC.
‘ Memory vault: Tennessee’s next trip to the Belk Bowl will be its first.
‘ Chances it happens: Dwindling. The Outback and Belk once appeared to be the most likely landing spots for the Vols, but the Belk’s desire to have Virginia Tech in the retiring Beamer’s final game discourages Tennessee going there, despite the favorable proximity. Why? You may have heard the Vols and Hokies will play at Bristol Motor Speedway next season.
MUSIC CITY BOWL
‘ When: Dec. 30 at 6 p.m.
‘ Where: Nashville
‘ Payout: $2.75 million
‘ Possible opponents: The Music City’s pick is either from the ACC or Big Ten depending on the TaxSlayer Bowl’s choice. The ACC possibilities are Louisville and Virginia Tech. The Big Ten possibilities include Penn State and Wisconsin.
‘ Memory vault: There was that time when North Carolina put itself in position to kick a game-tying field by snapping the ball with one second left and about 18 players on the field. The Tar Heels won that 2010 game in double overtime, and the NCAA adopted its 10-second run-off rule a couple of months later.
‘ Chances it happens: If Tennessee doesn’t go to Tampa, it likely ends up in Nashville, where it started the season. The possible matchup with former Vanderbilt coach James Franklin and a traditional power in the Nittany Lions is an intriguing backup to a trip to sunny Florida. The Music City also is considering Georgia and Texas A&M.