Tennessee football: Ranking games on Vols 2018 schedule by importance

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) /
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3. Kentucky Wildcats

If Jeremy Pruitt restores Tennessee football to where it should be, this game will be near the bottom of this list again. That’s because a restored Vols program has eight surefire wins and then brings the season down to four toss-up games.

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But right now, after last year’s 4-8 season, the Vols just need to get back to beating the teams they should always beat. And those teams are, of course, the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Kentucky Wildcats.

Starting with Kentucky, this is our first toss-up game that we consider a likely win for Tennessee football. The Vols did barely lose to Kentucky last year. But that loss was literally by a yard. And they haven’t lost at home to this program since 1984.

With a new coaching staff and still better talent, you have to assume they won’t let that happen again. However, that’s what makes this game crucial. For the Vols, taking care of business in their likely win toss-up games is crucial. Otherwise, there is no chance at postseason play.

Kentucky is one team they should go all out for. On top of it being a toss-up likely win game, they are also an SEC East opponent. And this is the oldest rivalry in the conference, technically, so there is a bit of pride to play for as well.

They could also potentially be defeating a bowl team here depending on how the season goes. So it would become a quality win. Simply put, Tennessee football absolutely has to win this game. It’s among the most important for them to focus on. Maybe next year it’ll go back to being a surefire win. But that’s certainly not the case right now.