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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) /
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10. Charlotte 49ers

Tennessee football has a very easy non-conference slate outside of their opener, and the Charlotte 49ers are the third team they play in that realm. In fact, these three teams we have mentioned had a combined one win against FBS opponents last year. Charlotte was the only one to get a win, and it was by one point in overtime against the UAB Blazers.

That was their only win, as they went 1-11 in their fifth season of playing football. However, they’re sticking with Brad Lambert as head coach heading into this year, which implies that this should be another easy win for the Vols.

So why do we have this game above UTEP and East Tennessee State? It’s because of when it is. This game comes after a brutal five-game stretch, and there’s a chance the Vols lose all five of them. So they could very well be 2-6 heading into this game with a desperate need to get some momentum going to finish strong and get to a bowl.

Even if they aren’t 2-6, they’ll likely be 3-5 at best and on a four-game losing streak. So this game is all about generating a spark in Jeremy Pruitt’s first season. And it could send the Vols off towards a strong finish.

On top of that, this is homecoming week for Tennessee football. That adds a bit of importance to such an easy game and what should be a sure win, as you don’t want to lose that game. So among the only three surefire victories on Rocky Top for 2018, this is the most important one.

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