4. 1990 (Johnny Major’ role: Head coach)
9-2-2 (5-1-1); SEC Championship; W Sugar Bowl; No. 8 AP; No. 7 Coaches
This was Johnny Majors’ most-talented team, and it was a crazy season. Tennessee football was loaded on offense with guys like Antone Davis, Charles McRae, Carl Pickens, Chuck Webb initially and then Tony Thompson, Alvin Harper, Anthony Morgan and junior quarterback Andy Kelly.
Looking to repeat as SEC champions, the Vols started the year ranked No. 8, and opened things up in California, tying the No. 5 ranked and eventual national champion Colorado Buffaloes. Greg Burke missed two field goals in that one.
Next, in a win over Pacific, Webb tragically had what was effectively a career-ending injury. However, Thompson came in then and had over 230 yards against the Mississippi State Bulldog. After beating the UTEP Miners, No. 5 UT visited the No. 3 ranked Auburn Tigers at 3-0-1. In that game, they blew a 26-9 fourth quarter lead and missed a game-winning field goal late.
A week later, they blew out the No. 9 ranked Florida Gators 45-3 in the first game of the rivalry, a breakout game for All-American cornerback Dale Carter. So they were 4-0-2 and ranked No. 3. But then they had a potential game-winning field goal blocked against the Alabama Crimson Tide, and the ball rolled to the other side of the field, allowing Bama to kick a game-winner and win 9-6.
After beating the Temple Owls, the Vols hosted the top-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Down 34-23 late, they scored a touchdown and got an onside kick. UT then drove deep into Notre Dame territory, only for Kelly, who had 399 yards that day, to make his one mistake, throwing a pick.
UT then beat the No. 15 ranked Ole Miss Rebels, the Kentucky Wildcats and the Vanderbilt Commodores. That secured them a second straight SEC title. Then, in one more wild ride, they came back from 16-0 down to beat the Virginia Cavaliers 23-22 in the Sugar Bowl. The Vols were three missed field goals and a late interception from being undefeated, but it was still a great year.