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Tennessee football Top 10 Vols teams that didn’t win a championship

By Caleb Calhoun

GAINESVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 01: Scott Newsome #68 of the University of Tennessee Volunteers celebrates the victory over the University of Florida Gators after the SEC game at Florida Field in Gainesville, Florida on December 01, 2001. Tennessee defeated Florida 34-32. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 01: Scott Newsome #68 of the University of Tennessee Volunteers celebrates the victory over the University of Florida Gators after the SEC game at Florida Field in Gainesville, Florida on December 01, 2001. Tennessee defeated Florida 34-32. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /

5. 1971 Tennessee Volunteers: 10-2 (4-2 SEC)

Led by All-American Jackie Walker and future head coach Phillip Fulmer, this Tennessee football team was one of the best. It was Bill Battle’s second year, and expectations were raised significantly after his strong first season.

The Vols started the year in the Top 10. But in the second week of the season, they suffered a brutal loss to the Auburn Tigers, 10-9. After two wins over the Florida Gators and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, they got hit with some serious reality.

Bear Bryant had unveiled his new wishbone offense to revitalize his career and was dominating everybody. Tennessee football was no different. With UT ill-prepared for it, the Tide torched the Vols 32-15 in Birmingham.

However, outside of those two losses, the Vols had a phenomenal season. They won the rest of their games, and the highlight of the year was the final regular season game. Ranked No. 12 overall, Tennessee football hosted the No. 5 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. Joe Paterno’s team was undefeated and thinking about a national championship.

But the Vols torched this team in front of an ABC audience 31-11. That was enough for them to get into the Top 10 and then make the Liberty Bowl, where they faced the No. 18 ranked Arkansas Razorbacks. They won that game as well, 14-13.

So this team finished 10-2 and in the Top 10 with huge wins down the stretch. They were a very close game away from 11-1. And that’s why they made the list.

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