Top 10 Ways to Define Success for the 2015 Tennessee Vols Football Season

Nov 22, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones before the game against the Missouri Tigers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

6. Securing a Top 25 Victory

This does not seem like a big deal since Butch Jones has already done this and it is no indication of a solid season. But it is at least one crucial step to the other things on this list and something that is very attainable.

With the Oklahoma Sooners, Arkansas, Razorbacks, Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, and Missouri Tigers all on the schedule, the Vols should have plenty of opportunities to secure a Top 25 victory, particularly if the Florida Gators and South Carolina Gamecocks sneak their way in.

If they can’t secure a Top 25 victory, it likely means another seven-win season at most, but pulling one off likely means at least eight wins, which is a huge step forward given that’ll be the most wins in a season for Tennessee since 2007. Yes, it does not sound like much, but in reality it is a huge deal.

Jones and Co. need quite a few more signature victories, and this is the chance to do it. This goal is high on the list because of its attainability, but it is more of a necessary goal than one that means great things.

If the Vols do not secure a Top 25 victory, it means a bad year. Getting one means a sign of progress and a solid year, and two or more means likely a very successful year.

So let’s really hope for two or more because that means a nine or 10-win season and likely a Top 25 finish. These are other factors that we will get to later.

Next: #5: Making a New Year's Day Bowl Game