Tom Hardy Knows Who To Root For In Super Bowl LI ... 'Cause of His Dog

Tom Hardy knows where he should place his allegiance for Super Bowl LI ... and he's got his dog to thank for the direction.

Tom was interviewing on Fox Sunday, where he was asked who he's got to win the big game.

Due to Woodstock -- the canine, not the friend -- being from Georgia, he seems to have his pick.

BTW ... he's really got a thing for dogs ...