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Tennessee football’s top 10 upset wins one week after bad loss

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee players Jalen Hurd, left, Alvin Kamara, and Joshua Dobbs celebrate following the Vols' 38-31 win over Georgia Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at Neyland Stadium. Utvsugathroughtheyears28
Tennessee players Jalen Hurd, left, Alvin Kamara, and Joshua Dobbs celebrate following the Vols' 38-31 win over Georgia Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at Neyland Stadium. Utvsugathroughtheyears28 /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 31: Teammates Darren Myles Jr. #3 and Nyshier Oliver #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate with teammates against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium on October 31, 2009 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 31: Teammates Darren Myles Jr. #3 and Nyshier Oliver #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate with teammates against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium on October 31, 2009 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mentions

1948: Upset No. 6 ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 13-6

Previous week: Lost to No. 3 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels 14-7

This one didn’t make the list because Tennessee football wasn’t supposed to beat UNC in the first place. However, their win over Georgia Tech was a huge deal, and it kept Robert Neyland from having what would have been his only losing season as a head coach.

Related Story. Five Alabama Crimson Tide to watch for against Vols. light

1958: Upset No. 11 ranked Mississippi State Maroons 13-8

Previous week: Lost to No. 3 ranked Auburn Tigers 13-0

We told you the 1958 campaign was crazy. Three of the Vols’ four wins were over ranked teams, and the other was a win over Bear Bryant’s Alabama Crimson Tide. In this case, UT upset MSU after losing to Auburn, but just like the 1948 game, the Auburn loss wasn’t an upset.

1961 Upset No. 9 ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 10-6

Previous week: Lost to North Carolina Tar Heels 22-21

As Tennessee football was floundering under Bowden Wyatt, this would be the Vols’ last winning season before Doug Dickey. UT lost a close one at the UNC Tar Heels, but both teams were somewhat on par with each other. Upsetting the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at home the next week though was impressive.

2005: Upset No. 4 LSU Tigers 30-27 (OT)

Previous week: Lost to No. 6 Florida Gators 16-7

Again, UT lost to a team it was supposedly on par with at the time in Florida, being ranked No. 5 itself. However, after falling to No. 10, the Vols visited LSU on a Monday night. The game was postponed due to Hurricane Rita. LSU jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead, but then Rick Clausen, an LSU transfer, led the Vols back for the win, spoiling Les Miles’ home opener with the Tigers.

Related Story. Five Vols to watch for against Alabama. light

2009: Upset No. 21 South Carolina Gamecocks 31-13

Previous week: Lost to No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide 12-10

Similar to 1948 and 1958, this game did not involve an upset loss. UT was supposed to lose to Alabama. However, it was a heartbreaker, as it came off a blocked field goal. The next week, Lane Kiffin brought some fun to the matchup with Steve Spurrier and South Carolina, as his team came out in black jerseys with orange pants on Halloween. Using that momentum, they dominated.

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