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Tennessee football: Ranking all 12 games by difficulty on Vols’ 2022 schedule

By Caleb Calhoun

Smokey and the Volunteer celebrate a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football
Smokey and the Volunteer celebrate a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football /
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Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view of Neyland Stadium during the fourth quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers. Florida won 47 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view of Neyland Stadium during the fourth quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers. Florida won 47 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks

Saturday, Oct. 22; Neyland Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.

Yes, the UT-Martin Skyhawks, an FCS school, are going to be more difficult for Tennessee football than the Akron Zips. For the first time in a while, the Vols’ one non-FBS matchup is against a team that’s expected to be pretty good for its level. In fact, this could be one of the better UT-Martin teams in recent history.

Led by Jason Simpson, who is entering his 17th year as head coach of the program, this team is coming off a 10-3 season in which it won the Ohio Valley Conference Championship and reached the second round of the FCS Playoff. Now, this team is the favorite to win the OVC and has a ton of returning starters, so it is expected to have its best season ever.

When you take all that into account, it’s a safe bet that UT-Martin would beat Akron on a neutral field this year specifically. What adds to the difficulty is that this is also a toss-up game, as it’s between a visit to the Alabama Crimson Tide and a visit from the Kentucky Wildcats.

Now, still, the Vols are expected to blow out UT-Martin. They are an FCS school after all, which is why they are down here. However, they aren’t the easiest opponent Rocky Top will face this year, so Josh Heupel and co. have to take them somewhat seriously.

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