Well that was a relaxing bye week GameDay. No worries for Vol fans, just kick back and watch games of interest as the Vols rest up for a three game gauntlet that will culminate with a home game with that nemesis from the south that won an impressive Top 3 matchup Saturday night.
That roller coaster game between Bama and UGA turned into an instant classic from what appeared to be a lop-sided Tide rout. Who would have ever thought that UGA could recover from a 30-7 halftime deficit to take the lead for 13 seconds at 34-33?
As Bama has done to Tennessee many times, the Tide found a way with barely 2 minutes to go in the game to pull out the win with the help of a 17-year old wide receiver phenom.
What was clear from that matchup is that Tennessee will have their hands full with both teams.
Vols first get Bama at home on October 19. If Tennessee is able to win at Arkansas this week and then Florida at home next Saturday, you might want to bring your ear protection for the Bama game. Bama is almost assured of entering that game undefeated as they have Vandy on the road this week and then South Carolina at home the following Saturday.
If Tennessee can take care of their business the next two weeks, the Third Saturday in October is going to be a huge GameDay on Rocky Top featuring at minimum two Top 4 teams.
The Vols won’t have the advantage of playing UGA in the friendly confines of Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee will have to visit Athens for that matchup which was the site of Tennessee’s last win over UGA in 2016. That was the infamous Dobbs Nail Boot game with the last play Hail Mary from Josh Dobbs to Jauan Jennings in a game Tennessee should have had put away much earlier.
Kirby Smart’s teams have dominated Tennessee since and no doubt will be favored to win this year’s matchup at home.
Yes, the Vols path forward to contending for SEC and National titles is going to be tough. In addition to Bama and UGA, the Vols must contend with Arkansas on the road this week and then Florida and an improving Kentucky at home in upcoming games.
Mississippi State and Vandy on paper don’t look to be hard challenges but history says do not overlook any SEC conference games. Arkansas has a history of giving Tennessee fits so despite a double digit line for the favored Vols this week, expect this game to be nothing less than a tough SEC road challenge for the Vols.
The good news is the Vols have put themselves into a contender position four games into the season and they control their destiny going forward.
More good news is after the next three Tennessee games, the team along with the fans will have another bye week to look forward to on Oct 26th before beginning the home stretch of the 2024 regular season. A season that at this point appears to have title possibilities for Tennessee.
