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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 5, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers mascot Roc poses during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Pitt won 30-20 over Boston College. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers mascot Roc poses during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Pitt won 30-20 over Boston College. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

4. At Pittsburgh Panthers

Saturday, Sept. 10; Acrisure Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pa.

Part of this is speculation. The Pittsburgh Panthers lost Kenny Pickett and their go-to receiver in Jordan Addison. As a result, you have to think Pat Narduzzi’s team has a drop-off, and despite this game being played in Pittsburgh and Pitt beating Tennessee football last year in Knoxville, it could lead to the Vols being the favorites here.

Still, it’s a road game against the defending ACC Champions. Narduzzi has stocked the cupboard with a good bit of talent to offset these key losses, and given the issues with the Vols’ pass defense, you could easily see them struggle once again when facing Pitt.

Last year, Hendon Hooker saw his first real action against Pitt after Joe Milton III went down, and he played well until the end, when he threw an interception to lose the game. He’ll want to make amends for that in this matchup, and all signs point to things leaning in his favor. This being Pitt’s second game of the year with so much new talent could also favor UT.

However, at the end of the day, road games against top 25 caliber Power Five programs are always going to be difficult. Even with the curse of Florida, a nine-day layoff due to their opener being on Thursday and no distractions, Pitt should be more difficult in 2022.

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