All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: 2019 schedule shows another tough year for Vols

By Billy Williford

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Tennessee mascot Davy Crockett carries the flag across the end zone during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Tennessee mascot Davy Crockett carries the flag across the end zone during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The 2019 Tennessee football schedule was released on Tuesday afternoon. And, as cruel as 2018 seems, 2019 doesn’t get much easier.

Every year when the Tennessee football schedule is released for the next season, Vol fans can’t help but discuss it. “Could next season be our year?” Can we finally win ten games?”

Unfortunately, once you dive in a bit further the positive thoughts and vibes seem to wither away. And, it’s not just because Tennessee has been flat out awful the past ten years. By playing Alabama as the cross-division rival, all the other SEC East teams start a game up every season.

I know it is the luck of the draw but isn’t funny that Tennessee seems to always play the second or third best team from the West? Look at Arkansas this year, they just got beat by Colorado State and North Texas in back-to-back weeks. Of course, they aren’t on Tennessee’s schedule, instead, the Auburn Tigers are. Here is a look at the 2019 schedule.

August 31 – Georgia State (Knoxville)

September 7 – BYU (Knoxville)

September 14 – Chattanooga (Knoxville)

September 21 – at Florida (Gainesville)

September 28 – OPEN DATE

October 5 – Georgia (Knoxville) 

October 12 – Mississippi State (Knoxville)

October 19 – at Alabama (Tuscaloosa)

October 26 – South Carolina (Knoxville)

November 2 – UAB (Knoxville)

November 9 – at Kentucky (Lexington)

November 16 – OPEN DATE

November 23 – at Missouri (Columbia)

November 30 – Vanderbilt (Knoxville) 

Taking a closer look at the 2019 schedule my initial perception is it is easier than 2018 but still a tough road to get to eight wins. Tennessee should take a 3-0 record into Gainesville. However, we can’t count out BYU. The Cougars just went into Camp Randall and jumped all around on No. 6 ranked Wisconsin.

Positively speaking there is an open date before the meeting with Georgia, but it’s not like that is going to help much. The Bulldogs are on track to be just as good if not better next season. Taking another positive approach, in October, the Vols do get Mississippi State and South Carolina in Knoxville.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I am extremely worried about the back-to-back road games in November at Kentucky and Missouri. But, an open date in between the two games surely helps.

And, finally, Tennessee finishes the 2019 season with a game against in-state rivals, Vanderbilt. The Commodores look like they are going to be a tough out this season. If Derek Mason can continue to build on that success, they will be a tough out next year as well.

Next. Vols suffering on line of scrimmage. dark

I’m sure Jeremy Pruitt welcomes the 2019 schedule with open arms when thinking about what is to come in 2020 with a trip to Norman, Oklahoma. It’s too early to predict the outcome of next season, however, it doesn’t appear to get much easier.

Home/Vols Football