A Way Too Early Look At Vols 2014 Schedule
By Zach Ragan
Oct 19, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Marquez North (8) celebrates with fans after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
The 2013 season just ended and there are plenty of topics surrounding the Vols to discuss — mainly recruiting and the 2014 class.
But it’s really never too early to take a look at next year’s schedule and how I think it will play out.
Obviously my feelings on this will change as we head through spring and summer practice, but as of right now this is how I envision Tennessee’s 2014 season going.
August 30 — Utah State @ Tennessee
This certainly isn’t the “gimme” game you’d expect Tennessee to open the 2014 season with.
Utah State finished the 2013 season as a bowl eligible team and nearly won the MWC.
Tennessee’s not the type of team to overlook any opponent, so I think they’ll open the season with a win.
However, it probably won’t be a blowout like it was in 2013 with the Austin Peay Game.
Prediction: Vols win (1-0)
September 6 — Arkansas State @ Tennessee
Now this might be more of the blowout game you’d be expecting early in the season.
The Vols won’t have any problem with Arkansas State and they’ll start the season 2-0 just as they did in 2013.
Prediction: Vols win (2-0)
September 13 — Tennessee @ Oklahoma
In 2013 the Vols traveled to Eugene to take on Oregon.
So in 2014 they’ll lighten their load and head to Norman to take on Oklahoma.
In case you missed the sarcasm, there’s nothing “light” about this game.
The Vols will probably put forth a better effort than they did against Oregon, but it’s still highly unlikely they’ll come away with a win.
Prediction: Vols lose (2-1)
September 27 — Tennessee @ Georgia
The Vols nearly beat Georgia in 2013 in Knoxville, but I still can’t give them a win here on the road in 2014.
The Bulldogs will regroup and head into 2014 as a healthy team.
There will be no Aaron Murray for the Bulldogs, but Tennessee still has to convince me they can win on the road.
Prediction: Vols lose (2-2)
October 4 — Florida @ Tennessee
The Vols haven’t beat Florida since 2004 and despite Florida’s tough finish to 2013, there’s little doubt they’ll be back strong in 2014.
Tennessee, until they prove otherwise, will most likely be a underdog to the Gators and on paper they should probably lose this game.
But they should’ve lost to South Carolina this past season as well — and they didn’t.
I think the Volunteers will finally break through against Florida in 2014.
Prediction: Vols win (3-2)
October 11 — Chattanooga @ Tennessee
The Vols should keep it going against an overmatched Chattanooga team. There’s no reason the Vols shouldn’t win this game big.
Prediction: Vols win (4-2)
October 18 — Tennessee @ Ole Miss
The Vols have to prove they can win a road game (other than against Kentucky) in the SEC at some point. Ole Miss has recruited extremely well lately and is coming off a 7-5 season in which they beat LSU and Texas.
This is another game that on paper the Vols should definitely lose, but I think Butch Jones will start to prove some critics wrong in 2014. Tennessee gets their first big road win in Oxford next season.
Prediction: Vols win (5-2)
October 25 — Alabama @ Tennessee
Regardless of whether or not Nick Saban leaves Alabama (which I seriously doubt he does), the Crimson Tide will still be one of the top five teams in the nation next season.
Even though this game is at Tennessee, the Vols just aren’t yet ready to compete with Alabama.
Prediction: Vols lose (5-3)
November 1 — Tennessee @ South Carolina
The Vols’ biggest moment of 2013 was knocking off #11 South Carolina.
That might lead you to believe that Tennessee should easily win this game, but that won’t be the case. I think the Vols will keep it close, but ultimately South Carolina will win at home.
Prediction: Vols lose (5-4)
November 15 — Kentucky @ Tennessee
I believe the Vols will become bowl eligible for the first time since 2010 in 2013 and they’ll do it with a win against Kentucky. The Vols should be able to easily win this game at home.
Prediction: Vols win (6-4)
November 22 — Missouri @ Tennessee
Missouri proved they were no fluke this past season, as they nearly won the SEC.
Just like with Alabama, I don’t think the Vols are quite ready to compete with Missouri — even at home.
Prediction: Vols lose (6-5)
November 29 — Tennessee @ Vanderbilt
The Vols have now lost to Vanderbilt two seasons in a row.
There’s absolutely no way they lose three straight to the Commodores. It just won’t happen.
The Vols will start a new winning streak against Vanderbilt in 2014.
Prediction: Vols win (7-5)
Like the title says, this is a way too early look at 2014. Who knows what will actually transpire, but I think 7 wins can be a realistic possibility for the Vols in 2014.
Obviously they’re replacing the entire offensive line, which will definitely hurt.
But Tennessee should get improved play from the quarterback position and the wide receiver positions. They’ll also be adding some speed on defense.
You can’t expect every true freshman to contribute like Cam Sutton did in 2013, but Sutton proved that a true freshman can indeed make a difference.