All for Tennessee
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 12
Next
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 12: A general view of the goalpost before a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 12: A general view of the goalpost before a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

6. 1946:  Upset No. 9 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels 20-14

Previous week: Lost to Wake Forest Demon Deacons 19-6

With World War II over, Robert Neyland was back as head coach of Tennessee football in the first year of his third stint. UT had won three straight SEC titles, two national titles and went undefeated for three straight regular seasons at the end of his second stint from 1938 to 1940.

While John Barnhill had four straight winning seasons from 1941 to 1945 (there was no team in 1943) and top 20 finishes along with two bowl appearances, he never won a title. So Neyland was back to restore glory.

This team jumped off to a 4-0 start, capped off by beating the No. 7 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide 12-0 to get to No. 4. A national title was in the picture once again. The unranked and 3-1 Wake Forest Demon Deacons came to town as heavy underdogs. They dominated.

A 66-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter gave Wake a 6-0 lead. UT tied it in the second with its own touchdown. However, the Vols went scoreless the rest of the way, and Wake scored two third quarter touchdowns to win 19-6, delivering Neyland his worst loss at home. The story was Wake out-rushing UT 153-86, something that would not sit well with Neyland.

Another Southern Conference team came to town the next week, though, the eventual champion North Carolina Tar Heels. With UT now down to No. 10, UNC was the favorite. Well, the Vols pulled off an upset of their own, winning 20-14. They then won out in the regular season and finished 9-2, No. 7 in the AP Poll and SEC Champions once again.

Home/Vols Football