Top 10 Bowl Game Victories in Tennessee Football History

Dec 31, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; A general view of the logo and end zone marker prior to the the 2014 Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

5. 1939 Orange Bowl: Tennessee Beats Oklahoma 17-0

You have to put the first bowl game on here.

The 1938 Tennessee Vols finished the season 10-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country, but they were able to claim the national championship thanks to a variety of services ranked No. 1. Then, led by Bob Suffridge, Bowden Wyatt, and George Cafego under Head Coach Robert Neyland, they made their first bowl game ever.

The Vols were set to face off against another undefeated football team ranked No. 4 in the country that was also able to lay claims to a national championship in the Oklahoma Sooners. Like Tennessee they were also 10-0 and playing in their first bowl game ever.

This would be a game to go down in history for whomever won. And that victory belonged to the Tennessee Vols.

In front of 32,000 fans, the Vols dominated the Oklahoma Sooners from start to finish, winning the game 17-0. Cafego and Babe Wood ran it down the Sooners’ throats, and in an ugly game marked by penalties and turnovers, the Vols won a blue-collar battle typical of what they would do at the time under Neyland.

Oklahoma was supposed to have a high-powered passing attack, but it was no match for the Tennessee defense, only getting in full gear late in the game after they fell down 17-0. The Vols established themselves as an elite power with their 11-0 finish and share of the national title.

And for that to be a first bowl win is incredibly memorable.

Next: #4: 1943 Sugar Bowl