Tennessee football top 20 in outlet’s 2022 preseason rankings
As we wrote last week, it’s been difficult for preseason polls to place Tennessee football this year. Some have the Vols in the top 25 entering Josh Heupel’s second season on the job, but others may have them as low as outside the top 40.
Athlon appears to be doing the former. In its preseason ranking of all 131 FBS teams entering this year, the Vols came in at No. 18. Only the Texas A&M Aggies, Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide were higher than them in the SEC. They are all top five teams.
Of course, Tennessee football has to face both Georgia and Alabama, and they also have to face the Kentucky Wildcats, who came in at No. 21. A non-conference foe of theirs, the Pittsburgh Panthers, came in at No. 23. Here’s a bit of what was written about the Vols.
"(Hendon) Hooker and receiver Cedric Tillman top the list of reasons for optimism in Knoxville, with four starters back along an offensive line hoping to improve after allowing 44 sacks last year. Although scoring points shouldn’t be a problem for Tennessee, the defense has to make major progress to push for nine wins."
What really stands out about UT is not just this ranking but what it says about their potential record this year. With Alabama and Georgia as the only two teams ranked ahead of them, it puts 10-2 on the table, although they have to visit Pitt.
Also, the LSU Tigers came in at No. 26, and Rocky Top has to face them in Baton Rouge this year. As a result, based on Athlon’s rankings, 8-4 would be worst-case scenario. However, 11-1 could be best-case scenario, as they do get Alabama at home.
The Florida Gators, who visit UT, are No. 33, the South Carolina Gamecocks are No. 42, and the Missouri Tigers are No. 54. With South Carolina the highest ranked road foe for the Vols outside of Georgia, Pitt and Alabama, it’s safe to say all three of these games are should-be wins to Athlon.
Next. Projecting Vols' two-deep depth chart for 2022. dark
Taking all this into account, Tennessee football really does seemed poise to take a huge step forward in Heupel’s second year. When you look at the schedule, they could be in line to reach the top 10 if Athlon has the most accurate rankings.