If Tennessee makes a Jan. 1 bowl game, it may owe thanks to Louisiana-Monroe.

The War Hawks' 21-14 upset victory over Alabama on Saturday should prove to eliminate the Crimson Tide from a trip to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, especially if 'Bama loses to Auburn this weekend.

UT was expected to slide to the Chik-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 31 if the Vols beat Kentucky then lost to LSU in the SEC championship game. That was until 'Bama lost. Now, the Cotton Bowl is a strong possibility.

The Cotton Bowl will consider Auburn, especially if the Tigers beat Alabama on Saturday. It's very unlikely, however, that the Tigers return to Dallas after beating Nebraska, 17-14, last season and, more importantly, failing to sell their ticket allotment.

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville's status also wouldn't work in the Tigers' favor to get back to Dallas. Rumors abound that Tuberville could be headed to Texas A&M to replace Dennis Franchione.

The Cotton Bowl traditionally selects an SEC Western Division team. Mississippi State was a possibility until the Bulldogs lost to Arkansas on Saturday.

In the past nine years, the Cotton Bowl has selected an SEC East team twice. Both times it was Tennessee (2001 and 2005).

Arkansas would be a popular choice among veteran Cotton Bowl committee members who have long-standing relationships with Razorback AD Frank Broyles, who is retiring after this season.

That wouldn't be as desirable an option, however, if Arkansas loses to LSU this weekend, which would give the Razorbacks five losses.

The Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla. on Jan. 1 also is considered a possibility for UT. Unlike the Cotton Bowl, the Outback sent representatives to last Saturday's UT-Vanderbilt game.

But the Outback would have concerns about inviting UT two years in a row, especially after the Vols' listless 20-10 loss to Penn State last January.

The scenario is much simpler if UT wins out. The Vols would then play in the Sugar Bowl as the SEC champion representative.

If UT loses to Kentucky on Saturday, the Music City or Independence Bowl would be possible destinations, although the Chik-fil-A Bowl still would be a possibility.

Virginia Tech and Virginia are the two most likely ACC representatives for the Chik-fil-A Bowl.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.