Sep 22, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jacob Carter (87) scores a touchdown against the Akron Zips during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee defeated Akron, 47-26. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Editors note — Make sure to check in each Friday for our game-by-game predictions, leading up to the season – Zach
Game number two in the Butch Jones era brings in the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and their new Head Coach Bobby Petrino, on September 7 in Neyland Stadium. This is an important game for the Vols, as they should be looking to start off the season 2-0. Western Kentucky will most likely provide a tougher test than Austin Peay did the week prior.
Western Kentucky hired former Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino in the offseason, after Willie Taggart left to become the head coach at South Florida. Petrino, fired from Arkansas for inappropriate actions, has been a winner as a collegiate head coach. He built Louisville into a national power and made Arkansas a top tier SEC program during his tenures at each school. Petrino now will lead a Western Kentucky program that has had limited success as an FBS program.
The Hilltoppers finished the 2012 season 7-6 overall and 4-4 in the Sun Belt Conference. They played in their first ever bowl game, losing to Central Michigan in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Western Kentucky will enter the 2013 season as one of the favorites to win the Sun Belt conference.
The Vols, with their inexperience at many of the skill positions, will need to use their first two games getting acclimated to the new coaching staff’s offense and gaining confidence heading into the muscle of their schedule. With a trip to Eugene, Oregon on the horizon, the Vols should jump out to a 2-0 start before taking on the Ducks.