Top 10 Bowl Game Victories in Tennessee Football History

Jul 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; A general view of Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium as a lightning strikes during a weather delay before the game between the FC Dallas and Orlando City SC. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

10. 1996 Citrus Bowl: Tennessee Beats Ohio State 20-14

It was a match-up between two one-loss teams who were just a bad game from their arch-rivals away from playing for the national championship.

Both teams entered the game tied at No. 4 in the AP Poll. The Vols were 10-1 under sophomore quarterback Peyton Manning, who had emerged as the face of a Tennessee football program that had arrived.

Ohio State, however, was 11-1 behind Heisman Trophy winning running back Eddie George, who would ironically become a Tennessee Titans legend.

Anyway, on a wet Saturday in Florida, this game went back and forth. Ohio State scored first and was looking to add to its 7-0 lead en route to a potential blowout. But on a fourth and inches near the goal line, Bill Duff and a stingy Tennessee defense stopped the Heisman winner short of a first down.

That was all the momentum the offense needed. Manning and Jay Graham began their assult, and the Vols pulled away 20-14. It was a huge win, allowing them to finish ranked No. 3 in the country and setting the stage for a great run as the first year of the best four-year run in school history.

Next: #9: 1974 Liberty Bowl