Top 10 Teams Who Would Make Great Tennessee Vols Rivals

Nov 8, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

10. Louisville Cardinals

Moving into the ACC and under the leadership of Bobby Petrino, the Louisville Cardinals are obviously in prime position to become one of the elites of the college football world. Playing in a conference that has established many rivalries with the SEC and in a state that borders Tennessee, Tennessee-Louisville could become a very exciting rivalry to watch.

The two teams have played each other only five times, and the last time they met was 1993, when Tennessee won 45-10. The Vols also lead the all-time series 5-0 over the Cardinals.

But this is a very different era from then, and Louisville has developed into a great college football program thanks to the incredibly solid foundation that Petrino and Charlie Strong have laid there. As a result, this could turn into an incredible non-conference game between the two programs, one that would certainly be more competitive than the Tennessee-Kentucky “rivalry.”

And speaking of Kentucky, while the Wildcats would still be bigger rivals with the Cardinals, but that does not mean Tennessee and Louisville would not have significant meaning.

Although Tennessee would obviously be at a much higher level than the Cardinals on a year-to-year basis, the competitive games could make this an exciting yearly rivalry some years. As a result, these teams would make for a very good rivalry, and every now and then there would be something significant in the game.

So yes, watching these teams play each other on a yearly basis would be a real treat, and it does not look like Louisville is going to falter anytime soon.

Next: #9: Clemson Tigers