Tennessee football: Game by game predictions for 2021 season

Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Checkerboard end zone at Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Checkerboard end zone at Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Footballs lay on the field before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Footballs lay on the field before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

14. 2117. 59. 839. Prediction

Saturday, Nov. 20; Neyland Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.

This is where Tennessee football gets to take advantage of that Kentucky Wildcats win. That will put them back in play for bowl eligibility, but they’ll have six losses, so they’ll have to win their final two games. Luckily, those two games are against two of the four easiest foes on the year, and it starts with a horrendous South Alabama Jaguars team.

South Alabama hasn’t had a winning season since joining FBS play in 2012. They are once again entering a new era with head coach Kane Wommack, but a Sun Belt team that has been horrendous in recent years and now has a new head coach is almost like an FCS team.

As a result, the Vols should coast to a win in this game. Wommack is a defensive specialist, which should finally allow for Tim Banks’ defense to shut down an offense. After all, there isn’t a focus on scoring at will for South Alabama this year.

Meanwhile, the Vols will still be able to put up lots of points. By late November, Josh Heupel’s offense will be rolling. As a result, look for this to be another fun outing for Vol fans, one that will allow them to enter the final week of the season with the likelihood of reaching a bowl.

5-6 (2-5)