All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football’s 2022 schedule: Ranking games by importance

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 12
Next
Sep 27, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Heinz field is reflected in an Akron Zips helmet on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Akron Zips won 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Heinz field is reflected in an Akron Zips helmet on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Akron Zips won 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Akron Zips

Saturday, Sept. 17; Neyland Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.

Technically, this is the easiest game for Tennessee football this year. The Vols replaced the Army Knights with the Akron Zips last year, and that was one of the smartest things they did. There’s absolutely no reason for UT to have to face a triple-option program right before they get ready for SEC play. Too many things can go wrong.

Anyway, Akron was 2-10 last year and has a new head coach. Former Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Joe Moorhead has taken over, and although Moorhead is a good coach who will turn this into a good program, this won’t be the year that shows. The team is still awful.

As a result, it’s another circled win for the Vols. Losing this game would generate any justified outcry that comes. Still, it’s slightly more important than UT-Martin due to the fact that it’s an FBS opponent. Despite everything else, winning this game will count more in terms of bowl eligibility since the Vols have to beat a minimum number of FBS programs.

That alone is enough to say they should focus on this one more heavily. However, it comes after the Pittsburgh Panthers and before the Florida Gators, so this team’s mind will certainly be elsewhere when kickoff happens. Luckily for them, that will be fine.

Home/Vols Football