Ranking Every Tennessee Football Game in 2015 by Importance

Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema talks to an official during the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Mississippi 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

5. Arkansas Razorbacks

Now we are getting to the lots to lose and lots to gain toss-up games for the Vols. These  are games that they simply do not want to lose but likely will have happen at least twice. Still, this is the meat of the schedule in determining the season if everything else goes as planned.

And it starts wth the Arkansas Razorbacks. This is another team with expectations on the level of the Tennessee Vols this year under head coach Bret Bielema, as he enters his third year as well. While the Vols should look better on paper, experts are putting Arkansas slightly ahead of them.

That makes this showdown between the two schools in what appears to be identical situations something to seriously look forward to. Having the Razorbacks come to Neyland Stadium should bode well for the Vols, but this will definitely be a difficult match-up.

Because it is in the first half of the season, this game could really set the tone for either team as they close out the year, and both will want to win this game badly. After all, whomever loses will be the one to likely have to wait another year before returning to prominence given their schedules.

That means they will both be giving everything they have to win this game, and Tennessee needs to pull this one out to legitimize itself. It would be a way to springboard them to at least an eight-win season, which would at least assure an improvement over last year.

Next: #4: Missouri Tigers