The Tennessee Vols football team has one of the toughest schedules in the country next season. Their nine-game SEC slate features games against Texas, Texas A&M, LSU, and Alabama. On top of that, Tennessee also has a difficult non-conference road matchup against Georgia Tech in Atlanta, which was a very good team last year.
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Now, the SEC has officially announced the game time for that matchup. Tennessee at Georgia Tech will kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Week 2 showdown will be Tennessee’s first real test, as the Vols open the season against Furman on Sept. 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.
Tennessee stuck with night game vs Georgia Tech
Well, there’s really no other way to put it, as this is a tough draw for Tennessee. The Vols will likely be breaking in a freshman quarterback, either Faizon Brandon or George MacIntyre, and in just their second career start they could be facing a night game in a hostile environment. On top of that, Tennessee will only be two games into adjusting to a new defense under Jim Knowles. It’s going to be a very difficult game for the Vols to win with so many factors working against them. Josh Heupel will need the operation to go very smoothly. Tennesse cannot afford to shoot itself in the foot.
I get that it’s a big-time matchup, but of course, it comes at the worst possible time for Tennessee. Why can’t they ever get a noon road game in front of a less rowdy crowd? It’s going to be a stressful Saturday for Vols fans, but at least Tennessee fans travel well and should be well represented in Atlanta.
On the bright side, Georgia Tech will also be starting a new quarterback in Alberto Mendoza, so at least Tennessee won’t have to deal with veteran Haynes King and his mobility. But this is still close to a must-win for Tennessee. They can’t really afford to drop it if they want a real shot at the playoffs. The Vols need to save their mistakes for the SEC slate, not a game like this.
Tennessee is still expected to be favored in this matchup, but it won’t be an easy game by any means. Starting a freshman quarterback in a hostile environment is never an ideal situation. It will be a good experience for them, though, but they will have to grow up really quickly. The Vols will likely lean on the run game and DeSean Bishop. Georgia Tech ranked No. 87 nationally in run defense last season, which at least bodes well for Tennessee.
Tennessee will also play its first night game of the year at home the following week when they host Kansas State. The game will kick off at 7:45 on the SEC network in what should be an amazing crowd at Neyland.
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