Tennessee football set up for breakout 2022 with Ed Orgeron firing, Florida struggles

It’s been a rough week for Tennessee football fans. The Vols just lost to the Ole Miss Rebels, fan behavior turned the national media against them and they are about to have to visit the Alabama Crimson Tide in what everybody expects to be another sure loss.

However, surrounding all of this is just how nicely things are setting up for UT in 2022. They say a head coach can always be judged by success in his second year. Well, Josh Heupel is being set up to have the best second season in years for a coach on Rocky Top and at least start 5-0.

The LSU Tigers, who just happen to be Tennessee football’s rotating SEC West opponent for 2022, announced this past weekend they would move on from Ed Orgeron. Sure, the Vols will face them on the road Oct. 8, for their fifth game, but it’s off a bye.

Before that bye, the Vols face the Florida Gators. Sure, Florida historically owns UT and did so again this year. However, Dan Mullen now has the hottest seat in the SEC, as his team is 4-3 and struggling. Shouldn’t Heupel have the advantage when they face again?

Next year, the Vols will return at least as many starters as Florida does, and they will get the Gators at home. Assuming Mullen’s seat continues to warm up, you have to think there will be a wave of transfers this offseason given the new rules. That combined with the distractions and the game being at Neyland Stadium should all favor the Vols.

By the way, before both of those games, Tennessee football’s first Power Five opponent is the Pittsburgh Panthers. Although they lost to Pitt at home by a touchdown this year and have to face them on the road next year, Pitt will lose eight starters on offense, which is its strength. As a result, the Vols should win that one too.

Of course, they will be expected to win their two home games against Group of Five schools, the Ball State Cardinals and the Akron Zips. Replacing the Army Black Knights was actually crucial to them having this path to a 5-0 start, but it’s now there.

With the Alabama Crimson Tide visiting for their sixth game, they don’t have a clear path to 6-0. However, that red-hot start could be what’s necessary to build the momentum for a strong finish. If they pull that off, only Alabama and the Georgia Bulldogs have a chance of being favorites over them for their final 12 games. Simply put, 5-0 means 10-2 at minimum.

There’s already a belief Tennessee football will take a huge leap next year. The Vols are almost certain to reach six wins this regular season, which was always the goal even if they don’t make a bowl due to the NCAA investigation.

Although Hendon Hooker will be gone after this year, Heupel is bringing in Tayven Jackson, and by that time, it’s possible Joe Milton III has improved his accuracy. Many other key players will be back, and UT still isn’t done on the recruiting trail.

Simply put, everything is set up for Tennessee football to be significantly better next year no matter what. The expected struggles of Florida, LSU and Pitt also suggest they could have one of their best starts, leading to one of their best seasons, in over a decade.