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

6. At South Carolina Gamecocks

Saturday, Nov. 19; Williams-Brice Stadium; Columbia, S.C.

Sure, Tennessee football dominated South Carolina last year similar to how they dominated Missouri. However, a few things are different. For starters, the program isn’t in desperation mode, as this is Shane Beamer’s second year on the job while Eli Drinkwitz is entering his third year.

Also, and this does matter, the Vols have to visit South Carolina this year while they get to face Mizzou at home. Add in the fact that they didn’t dominate South Carolina by as much, and you can see why this game would be significantly harder. What puts it above Kentucky, though? Well, there’s the home factor that we already mentioned.

However, South Carolina also added Oklahoma Sooners transfer quarterback Spencer Rattler. All of a sudden, they have the exact weapon they need to be dangerous, and given the Vols’ issues in the secondary, you have to worry about this game for them to a degree.

Finally, UT’s bye is early this year. It comes the first weekend in October. Then they play eight straight games, and this will be the seventh in that stretch. Now, South Carolina’s bye is the third weekend in October, so it’ll be their fifth straight game, not a huge advantage, but it is a factor, so watch out. An injury from this stretch of games could cause problems.