Tennessee football: Vols top 10 greatest games in 2010s decade
Honorable Mentions
2011 vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Tennessee Volunteers win 45-23
As crazy as it sounds, this was Derek Dooley’s most quality win. And it came over Butch Jones, ironically. Tennessee football dominated the Cincinnati Bearcats 45-23 to get to 2-0 in 2011 before it all fell apart, and Cincy would go on to win the Big East and finish in the top 25. UT, of course, would go 5-7.
2011 vs. Vanderbilt Commodores
Tennessee Volunteers win 27-21 (OT)
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At the end of 2011, just before they lost to the Kentucky Wildcats, the Vols scored a thrilling overtime victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores. It came off a pick-six. At the time, the win got them from 4-6 to 5-6, but their lack of pride cost them a shot at a bowl game by losing to Kentucky the next week.
2012 vs. N.C. State Wolfpack (Georgia Dome; Atlanta, Ga.; Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game)
Tennessee Volunteers win 35-21
Believe it or not, Derek Dooley was the one to break the Georgia Dome curse. And he did it in this game. Coming off their 5-7 season, the Vols retooled their offense. And they were set to get Justin Hunter back while adding Cordarrelle Patterson. The result was a dominant win over the N.C. State Wolfpack in Atlanta to open 2012, which fans wrongly thought would turn into a special season.
2016 vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers
Tennessee Volunteers win 20-13 (OT)
Sometimes thrillers make the list because even if they shouldn’t be close. This is one of those times. UT started this season in the top 10 but suffered a scare against the Appalachian State Mountaineers. After falling behind 13-3, they tied things up late. Then, in overtime, Joshua Dobbs fumbled the ball in the end zone. But Jalen Hurd recovered for the score, and UT got the win.
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2017 vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Mercedes-Benz Stadium; Atlanta, Ga.; Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game)
No. 25 Tennessee Volunteers win 42-41 (2OT)
Just like the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic in 2012, the Vols appeared to have a great win here that could have sparked a good season. A 14-point comeback, a late drive by Quinten Dormady to tie it up in regulation and a two-point conversion stop made this a thriller. However, it was all downhill after that, as UT fell to 4-8 and fired Butch Jones. But this win in the moment was thrilling.