Oct 14, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; A helmet on display after the announcement that the Tennessee Volunteers and Virginia Tech Hokies will play a football game on Sep. 10, 2016 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
10. 2006 Tennessee Vols (9-4, 5-3)
This was a year that could have actually been much better, particularly since the Vols lost three of their last five games. But coming off of a 2005 5-6 debacle, the 2006 Tennessee campaign appeared to be a turnaround season with the return of David Cutcliffe.
Betsided
Tennessee started the year 2-0 after an elating win against the Top 10 Cal Golden Bears and then a close win against the Air Force Falcons. When the Florida Gators came to town, the Vols blew a 17-7 lead against Chris Leak in Urban Meyer’s second year, including one drive that was Tim Tebow’s breakout game as he converted a 4th and 1.
Florida held onto win this game 21-20 despite the fact that everybody on Tennessee played pretty well except for the offensive line. Half of that line should have had their scholarships revoked after the atrocity that game.
But despite the heartbreaking loss, Tennessee went on a run after that, beating Marshall and Memphis. Then they went to Athens and hung 50 on the undefeated Georgia Bulldogs, and after that they had a great final drive to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 16-13. A road win against South Carolina moved this team to 7-1 and back in the Top 10, showing they recovered from the Florida loss.
A heartbreaking loss to LSU and then blowout loss to Arkansas derailed the season to a degree, but the Vols had an okay finish and managed to beat Georgia and Alabama in the same year, so this was not a completely wasted season.
Next: #9: 1994 Tennessee Vols