The Tennessee Volunteers were popular pick to win the SEC East last season, but came up short after a strong start. The Vols went 9-4, including a three-game losing streak in October. While the Vols' expectations aren't as high after losing many marquee players this offseason, the Vols have plenty of talent ready to step in and take over. Will they be able to compete for the SEC title this year? Here's a game-by-game prediction of Tennessee's record this year:
Week 1: vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Atlanta, GA)
Prediction: WIN (1-0)
Tennessee will take on Georgia Tech in the marquee game on Labor Day, and it will be the first college football game played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Though the Vols will likely be favored and fans will travel to make it feel enough like a home game, GT's triple-option attack will provide a tough test to open the season - a test Tennessee will pass.
Week 2: vs. Indiana State Sycamores
Prediction: WIN (2-0)
An FCS team doesn't stand a chance on Rocky Top.
Week 3: at Florida Gators
Prediction: LOSS (2-1)
If you want to win the SEC East, as the Vols would like to do, they have to beat the two-time defending division champs. All bets are off in this rivalry showdown, but this being their SEC opener - and in the Swamp - will make it one of the toughest games Tennessee will play.
Week 4: vs. UMass Minutemen
Prediction: WIN (3-1)
UMass is an FBS team, but they don't belong to a conference, if that tells you how good they are.
Week 5: vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Prediction: LOSS (3-2)
Tennessee' Hail Mary beat Georgia at the buzzer last year, and with two young, talented teams, this game should be another tight one. The winner will also emerge as the biggest challenger to Florida in the SEC East. Unfortunately for the Vols, I think UGA just has too much talent.
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
Prediction: WIN (4-2)
Tennessee got a close up look at this young South Carolina team when the Gamecocks upset the Vols last year, and as such, they aren't going to let that happen two years in a row. They will get their revenge here.
Week 8: at Alabama Crimson Tide
Prediction: LOSS (4-3)
This rivalry has been rather one-sided in recent years, but Tennessee has come so close to breaking through. The Vols will try to pick to pick up their first win over the Tide since 2006 in this one - but will fall short.
Week 9: at Kentucky Wildcats
Prediction: WIN (5-3)
Kentucky has improved to the point where they are actually a competitive team in the SEC East. That said, they're very limited on both sides of ball. The Vols just have much more talent.
Week 10: vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Prediction: WIN (6-3)
This is the perfect mid-conference schedule break for Tennessee. Southern Miss is a quality Group of 5 team that will test the Vols, but they aren't good enough to beat them.
Week 11: at Missouri Tigers
Prediction: WIN (7-3)
Mizzou is projected to be the worst team in the SEC East again this year. They will be lucky to score more than 14 points.
Week 12: vs. LSU Tigers
Prediction: LOSS (7-4)
The Vols are lucky that they get this game at home, but that doesn't change the fact that playing LSU will be extremely difficult. Despite their personnel losses, LSU's defense will be one of the best in the country again, and Derrius Guice will make sure their rushing attack doesn't miss a beat without Leonard Fournette.
Week 13: vs. Vanderbilt Commodores
Prediction: WIN (8-4)
Vanderbilt is still one of the worst teams in the SEC and are no match for the Vols. Tennessee's defense may score more than Vandy's offense in this one.
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