Tennessee Football: Could This Year’s Vols vs Bama Game Be The Best Yet?
By Austin Clay
Tennessee football has a favorable schedule that sets up a trip to Atlanta. But could the Vols get past Alabama in what could be a game of unbeaten?
In 2011, LSU and Alabama played in what many referred to as the “Game of the Century.” The week, month leading up to the game was nothing but talk of the game and its implications. This year, the schedules add up to Alabama and Tennessee in Neyland Stadium becoming the next “Game of the Century.”
Tennessee will be battle ready by the time the Tide roll into Knoxville on the third Saturday of October. The showdown is the finale to a tough four game stretch that will decide the 2016 Vols fate. Florida at home, at Georgia and at Texas A&M prime the Vols to either live up to the hype or not.
The Vols will more than likely enter the Florida game at 3-0 for the first time in over ten years. The Florida streak is bound to be snapped soon, but the Vols could find another way to lose to the Gators.
Georgia is a toss-up. They have equal talent with Tennessee but they are breaking in a brand new head coach to the SEC. It’s hard to judge a coach when he has never been a head coach before.
Texas A&M will be a tough team to beat at Kyle Field. Either Kyle Allen or Trevor Knight will give the Vols defense fits but Tennessee could very well come out with a win.
Three wins in the aforementioned games would set up the 6-0 Volunteers against the 6-0 or 5-1 Crimson Tide. That would definitely be a top five matchup in Knoxville.
The hype between the two fan bases the week of the game would be at an all time high. The Tennessee fan base would be unstoppable on Twitter and message boards as this is what they have been waiting for since Fulmer.
Alabama has had their way with Tennessee for the last ten years with the exception of 2015 and 2009. 2009 was kind of a fluke with Tennessee almost upsetting the #1 team on its home turf. Last year, however, showed that Tennessee and Butch Jones are ready to compete with the likes of Nick Saban.
Just imagine Neyland Stadium with the two unbeaten rivals in mid October on a Saturday night.
To make things better, this would be the last real challenge for Tennessee on their way to Atlanta, so a win against the Tide could very well punch their ticket as the East representative.
The schedule sets up for a showdown on October 15. Whether or not it happens will be up to Dobbs and company, but if the cards play out right, it could be a fun one.