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
4 of 12
Next
Jan 8, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; A view of the helmet of Alabama Crimson Tide after they beat the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 CFP national championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; A view of the helmet of Alabama Crimson Tide after they beat the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 CFP national championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Alabama Crimson Tide

Saturday, Oct. 15; Neyland Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.

In previous years, this game would be at the bottom of the list on circled losses. However, things are a bit different for Tennessee football this year. The circled wins against non-Power Five teams are more sure bets than they have been in a long time and require less focus. The opposite is true when it comes to circled losses.

Yes, this is still a circled loss, but it’s slightly less of a sure thing. When you combine that with the fact that it’s at home this year and is an SEC game, it’s safe to say the Alabama Crimson Tide belong a bit higher on this list. There’s still a less-than one percent chance that the Vols win this game, but it’s not 0 percent.

Add in whatever is left of the rivalry factor, and you can honestly say this game could somewhat matter. Also, it’s possible the Vols will be undefeated when this game happens, and that could make it a much bigger deal for Josh Heupel’s program. Don’t count that out.

This is still in the bottom half of important games because the realistic goals for Vol fans this year don’t require beating Alabama, and that’s insanely unlikely anyway. Alabama is more loaded than it even usually is. However, Tennessee football can get somewhat excited for the game.

Home/Vols Football