All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Ranking games on Vols 2018 schedule by importance

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 13
Next
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /

4. Missouri Tigers

The South Carolina Gamecocks on the road are a tough SEC match-up. But the only reason the Missouri Tigers are ahead of them in terms of importance is due to the fact that the game is in Knoxville. Rocky Top could be in for a rocky day on this one, though.

Live Feed

UTSA vs. Tennessee Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4
UTSA vs. Tennessee Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 /

Betsided

  • 2023 Week 4 AP Poll Top 25: Every SEC team’s highest, lowest spot on ballot South Bound & Down
  • SEC Standings: What does upset do for Florida football? FanSided
  • Three reasons that Florida was able to beat top-ranked Tennessee FanSided
  • 5 College Football Playoff contenders who haven’t played like it yet FanSided
  • SEC Football: Florida, LSU rise in Week 4 2023 power rankings South Bound & Down

    • Missouri and South Carolina both fit the bill of toss-up games that are more likely losses for the Vols. That’s because of the match-ups and state of the programs. Mizzou blew out Tennessee football last year.

    On top of that, they have Drew Lock back at quarterback. Barry Odom’s team is now rolling, and this year, the Vols will go up against a familiar face coaching Lock. Derek Dooley is now Mizzou’s offensive coordinator. And that could be brutal for UT.

    Dooley showed his final year in Knoxville, through all his flaws, that he does understand offense. And he has some weapons to work with. Getting Lock to be more NFL ready with a pro-style offense could be extremely tough for a Vols team struggling to adjust to the 3-4 system.

    Because it’s later in the year and at home, this game is truly more of a toss-up than the West Virginia Mountaineers. That combined with the fact that it’s an SEC East game makes it significantly more important as well.

    Related Story. Simulating games on Vols 2018 schedule. light

    Tennessee football has a rivalry developing with the Tigers, who have actually been pretty impressive in their SEC run since they joined in 2012. The Vols will face another tough test with them this year, but it’s a crucial game for them if they want to accomplish anything.

    Home/Vols Football