After dusting off Syracuse in a rather impressive season opening win, Tennessee football embarks on a manageable schedule that could put the Vols in contention for a College Football Playoff berth.
One opponent is in the top five, another is in the top 15 and two more are in the top 25.
Some SEC teams will face six or seven ranked opponents.
So which month is most important for the Vols?
That’s a question recently raised by John Pennington of the Sports Source.
This depends on your viewpoint.
(Jimmy’s blog is brought to you by Rick McGill Airport Toyota with an amazing inventory and great specials on new and preowned vehicles with easy financing. Rick McGill – your full-service Toyota Dealership.)
In September, the 17th-ranked Vols face a monumental test in hosting No. 3 Georgia, which has beaten the Vols eight in a row and 13 of the last 15 meetings. The Bulldogs aren’t as dominant as the 2021-22 teams, but they still have better personnel than Tennessee.
Tennessee should have an easy time with East Tennessee State and UAB. The first SEC road game will be at Mississippi State, a 2-10 team a year ago that surrendered an SEC-worst 409 points.
A 4-1 record entering October could provide momentum and confidence for a team picked by some to finish 11th in the SEC.
(This segment is brought to you by Matlock Tires, a full-service tire center that offers top-quality tire brands, expert service and installation. Matlock Tires has 5 convenient locations to serve you. That’s where I go to get my tires and oil changes.)
In October, Tennessee football faces Arkansas, Alabama and Kentucky.
Arkansas upset the Vols a year ago in Fayetteville and has an athletic and explosive quarterback in Taylen Green, who threw for six touchdowns in the Hogs’ opener against Alabama A&M. Green, in his second year under offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, is capable of a monster game.
Alabama, which hansn’t lost to the Vols in Tuscaloosa since 2003, comes up the next week. The Crimson Tide look more vulnerable this year after a weak showing against a 2-10-a-year-ago Florida State team. FSU penetrated Bama’s run defense, and the run game was subpar for Kalen DeBoer’s team.
That gives Tennessee a puncher’s chance, but it’s hard to ignore the Vols are on a 22-year drought of winning on the Tide’s home field.
Then comes Kentucky, which finished 15th out of 16 teams in the SEC a year ago. Coach Mark Stoops’ team was the only one in conference to score fewer than 300 points on the season, and the outlook isn’t much better this year. Although the Wildcats did pull a major upset of Ole Miss a year ago.
Tennessee needs to exit October with a 2-1 record, or the season could be derailed.
(Jimmy’s blog is brought to you by Rick Terry Jewelry Design in Farragut, Since 1986, Rick and his team have been dedicated to crafting one-of-a-kind jewelry and repairing your favorite jewelry. Rick Terry – he wants to be your jeweler)
That brings us to November. The Vols face Oklahoma, New Mexico State, Florida and Vanderbilt.
Oklahoma is the most improved team in the SEC, led by transfer quarterback John Mateer, who was terrific in his debut against a bad Illinois State team. The Sooners were 15th in points scored in SEC play last year but fifth in yards per game allowed in SEC play.
New Mexico State should be a cakewalk.
Traveling to Florida is another minefield. UT hasn’t won in The Swamp since 2003. The Vols have had the better team multiple times during that span but can’t seem to escape Gainesville with a win.
And until Tennessee wins at Florida, it’s hard to pick the Vols.
The final game is against Vanderbilt. Quarterback Diego Pavia has predicted a Commodore win but considering UT blasted the Dores in the last three quarters of last year’s game, it’s hard for me to see a Vandy upset in Neyland Stadium. Plus, Pavia has provided some strong bulletin board material.
(Jimmy’s blog is brought to you by Marcos Garza Law firm, attorneys that care about their clients. You want a local, proven, quality attorney in your corner. Let Marcos Garza help you. Learn more at Garzalaw.com.)
To me, the most pivotal month is November – and not just because Johnny Majors said people remember what you do in November.
Here’s why: If Tennessee football is 6-2 entering November and loses to Oklahoma and Florida, then a potential CFP bid has been thwarted.
If Tennessee is 5-3 or – egads! – 4-4 entering November, the Vols can salvage the season by going 4-0 in the final month.
A 4-0 finish would leave a good taste in the mouth’s of UT and the Vol Nation. And it could put the Vols on the cusp of the CFP. It would certainly ensure a more favorable bowl game.
And that will be remembered.
Oh, by the way, Tennessee hosts ETSU in the home opener Saturday.
Prediction: Tennessee 45, ETSU 10.
