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Top 10 Opening Games in Tennessee Football History

By Caleb Calhoun

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Nov 15, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view of Neyland Stadium during the first half of the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

4. 2006: Tennessee Vols beat California Golden Bears 35-18

Starting in 2006, the Tennessee Vols were coming off of their first losing season in 17 years in 2005 thanks to some of the worst quarterback play they had seen in probably more than 50 years.

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    • That is still probably the most disappointing team in Tennessee history.

    The Vols brought in new-old offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe to fix up the offense, mainly quarterback Erik Ainge, and had to open the year ranked No. 23 while facing off at home against No. 9 ranked Cal. At the time, Tennessee had not had a Top 10 home win since 1999.

    And the line just before the game came in with Cal ranked No. 2, so the Vols had a lot to worry about.

    But in one of the most exciting, relieving openers you could ever ask for, the Vols showed the world they were back. A long drive ending with a touchdown pass to tight end Chris Brown made the score 7-0, then Robert Meachem broke of two hitch routes for touchdowns at the end of the first half and start of the second half.

    Ainge then made an easy post throw to Jayson Swain for a touchdown, and Montario Hardesty pretty much broke off every Cal defender on one play for another long touchdown.

    The Vols were up 35-0 on the No. 9 team who was favored over them. Tennessee pulled the starters and allowed Cal back in to make the score 35-18 in the end, signaling the issues with depth the Vols would have on the year.

    But the excitement of what was clearly a blowout was very relieving at the time.

    Next: #3: 1987 Iowa

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