Ranking Every Tennessee Football Game in 2015 by Importance

Sep 13, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Geneo Grissom (85) celebrates the victory with teammates after the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

2. Oklahoma Sooners

To your traditional Vol fans, it might be a bit odd to have a non-conference game that is not a rivalry by any stretch of the imagination so high up on a list of important games for a football season. But this is not a traditional Tennessee Vols football season.

As we have already mentioned, success this season has to be measured by getting the Vols back to prominence. Once that happens, we can measure success by what we expect from them when at the height of their traditional prominence.

The Oklahoma game is crucial for restoring the Vols because it will truly be a barometer early in the season of what might be to come. This is the second game of the year, and the Sooners are much more talented than they are being given credit for. They are also desperate to make amends for last year, and losing to Tennessee would be a terrible start in that process.

So this is an early game that both teams will do anything to win, and if the Vols do win this, they will all of a sudden have a lot to look forward to. It gets the first big test out of the way and will be the first win for them that is not a circle or probable win, which bodes really well going forward.

Momentum is huge for Tennessee this year, and it is the one thing they need over anything else to begin the process of a successful season. Beating Oklahoma is a way to start that.

Losing could be devastating.

Next: #1: Florida Gators