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Tennessee football’s top 10 years following unranked seasons

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers cheerleaders cheer at the Vol Walk before a game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers cheerleaders cheer at the Vol Walk before a game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee Days caused a fumble during the 4th quarter against Mississippi State Saturday, Sept. 13, 1987.Days Caused Fumble 1987
Tennessee Days caused a fumble during the 4th quarter against Mississippi State Saturday, Sept. 13, 1987.Days Caused Fumble 1987 /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 1987: Johnny Majors. player. 839. Record: 10-2-1 (4-1-1). 1986: 7-5 (3-3). 6

No. 14 AP, No. 13 Coaches; W Peach Bowl

Johnny Majors made a habit of doing this with Tennessee football in the 1980s. After finally breaking through in 1985 to win the SEC and finish in the top five, his first title or top 25 finish in nine years at UT at the time, consensus was that the Vols were back. However, they opened 1986 in the top 10 only to start off 2-5.

Majors helped that team rebound, though, winning five straight, including a bowl, and they entered 1987 with more experience behind Jeff Francis at quarterback and more optimism. They lived up to that optimism early on, starting the year ranked No. 17 and beating the No. 16 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes 23-22 in the Kickoff Classic.

Rocky Top propelled that into a 4-0-1 start, their only blemish a tie with No. 3 ranked Auburn. However, they somehow got blown out by a bad Alabama team, and after beating Georgia Tech, they were then upset by a worse Boston College Eagles team.

The Vols rebounded to win their final five games against inferior competition, though, so Majors had his first 10-win season with Tennessee football. He should have had a top 10 finish, but a win over the Indiana Hoosiers in Atlanta to close out the year capped an exciting ride.

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