How Did The Vols’ 2014 Opponents Fare In Their Bowl Games?

Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Trevor Knight (9) holds the mvp trophy as he and teammates celebrate defeated theAlabama Crimson Tide 45-3 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Tough schedules are nothing new when you play in the SEC.

Tennessee’s 2013 schedule, however, was historically tough. The Vols played seven teams that were ranked when the game took place. Five of those teams were ranked in the top ten.

So you would think that it’s got to get better in 2014 — right?

Unfortunately for Vol fans, it doesn’t look much better in 2014. Sure, the Vols don’t have to travel to Eugene to play Oregon again. Nor do they have to play Auburn again.

But they do have to travel to Norman, OK to play the Oklahoma Sooners and they open against Utah State, a team that just beat a one-loss Northern Illinois team.

What’s even more daunting is that nine of the Vols’ 2014 opponents were bowl eligible in 2013.

Oh, and then there’s also Florida, who wasn’t bowl eligible in 2013, but they’ve had the Vols’ number since 2004.

Let’s take a look at how the Vols’ 2014 opponents fared in their bowl games, as we head into the off-season.