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Tennessee football: Vols top 10 greatest games in 2010s decade

By Caleb Calhoun

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 1: Jauan Jennings #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers rides the shoulders of Gavin Bryant #36 after making the game winning catch against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 1: Jauan Jennings #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers rides the shoulders of Gavin Bryant #36 after making the game winning catch against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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7. Sept. 10, 2016

No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (Battle at Bristol; Bristol, Tenn.)

839. Final. 24. 847. 45

A rivalry between Tennessee football and the Virginia Tech Hokies was always meant to happen, as both schools are located an equal distance from Bristol, which just happens to be halfway in Tennessee and halfway in Virginia. So it was only natural that they would meet for the largest game ever in college football history at the Bristol Motor Speedway.

This game makes the list for its historical perspective than anything else. UT entered the season in the top 10, and this was supposed to be the year they returned to a powerhouse. Butch Jones put it all in place entering his fourth season. However, an ugly season-opening win dropped them from No. 9 to No. 17.

It set the stage for the showdown with  Virginia Tech, in its first year under Justin Fuente and without Frank Beamer. Like in their opener, the Vols fell down by two scores again. Virginia Tech jumped out with 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

But UT responded in a huge way in the second quarter with 24 points, including 10 off of two fumbles by VT. The Virginia Tech turnovers continued in the second half, as they finished with five on the day.

Joshua Dobbs, meanwhile, had another five-total-touchdown game with over 100 rushing yards.In the process, Rocky Top dominated 45-24 in front of 156,990 fans. This game should clearly be played more often, and with VT finishing the year 10-4 and No. 16 in the nation, it became a huge quality win for the Vols, a rare top 25 win for them this decade.

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