One Reason The Vols Can Win Each Game This Season
Image: USA Today
By Garrett Armbrust
Week 1 vs. Syracuse — Home environment
There’s lots of uncertainty that surround this game for each team. Will Rickie Collins or Steve Angeli start for Syracuse? Will Joey Aguilar or Jake Merklinger start for the Vols? Not to mention the loss of Trebor Pena, LeQuint Allen, and Oronde Gasden for the Orange. Currently the Vols are locked in as 13.5-point favorites. Even with some uncertainties in the Tennessee secondary you know this will be 90% Vol fans. Atlanta being 3.5 hours from Knoxville vs. being a plane ride away from Syracuse should make this game a Vol victory even though it’s “neutral site.”
Week 2 vs. ETSU — It’s ETSU
I think this one’s pretty self explanatory. This game will be a blowout and should be over at halftime. This will be our first opportunity to see the starting QB most likely put up some exciting numbers. It’s also an opportunity for the WRs to showcase what they can do going up against a SOCON secondary.
Week 3 vs. Georgia — Early season UGA woes
This will no doubt be the rowdiest game of the season in Neyland Stadium. That in itself will help the Vols. However, Georgia has some questions just like every team does and getting them early in the season is where you want them. The past few seasons UGA has gotten off to some tough starts. They almost lost to a not very good South Carolina team early in 2023. Kent State played them tough most of the game in the season opener before the ‘Dawgs went on to win a national title. And don’t forget Kentucky last year. The difference is, Tennessee actually has to beat them. Maybe Stockton comes out stale or their defense has some things to work out that Tennessee can expose early. Way better than playing them Week 11 when they are peaking.
Week 4 vs. UAB — The trenches
This is a team that almost beat Tennessee in Neyland Stadium in 2010 when the game went to double overtime. Neither team is the same now though. This is a game that Tennessee wins from their front seven. The QB play doesn’t have to be elite, the WRs don’t have to have great games… just let your RBs control the game and win at the line of scrimmage — and don’t give up any explosive plays on defense.
Week 5 @ Mississippi State — Secondary
This is the first true road test of the season. The cowbells will be loud and it has trap game written all over it. Mississippi State has some explosive play makers on their offense. Davon Booth and Fluff Bothwell are very good RBs, their WR corp has talent, and Blake Shapen has proven to be a solid QB at different points in his career. You have to make sure you don’t let their RBs break free for deep runs and their WRs don’t get open downfield. You have one of the best secondaries in the SEC. You have to show why in this game and don’t let this ever be a game.
Week 6 — BYE
Week 7 vs. Arkansas — Revenge game
I don’t have to remind anyone what happened last season when the Vols went to Fayetteville. A revenge game in Neyland Stadium is very likely. Over the past few seasons in the Heupel era Tennessee hasn’t lost too many games in Neyland. You can pretty much guarantee the coaching staff will have this team ready to go especially if it’s a night game. Arkansas has an exciting roster but I wouldn’t want to be a part of their squad rolling into Neyland. Think South Carolina 2023.
Week 8 @ Alabama — Controlling their skill position players
It’s no secret that Alabama has plenty of elite skill position players on their offense. Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, and Isaiah Horton all had over 600+ receiving yards last season. On top of that Jam Miller is one of the best RBs in the SEC. If Ty Simpson is finding these guys for explosive plays Alabama will win but if you can keep those guys in front of you and limit big plays Tennessee can stay in it for four quarters and possibly pull off the upset.
Week 9 @ Kentucky — Defense
Kentucky may have the most bleak offensive outlook of any team in the SEC this season. Their QB Zach Calzada had played in the league before but spent last season in the FCS. While he did play for a very good offense last season at Incarnate Word, the position players around him won’t do him any favors. If Tennessee can play lockdown defense the crowd won’t get involved, and the Vols won’t have to score many points to win. UT has also won 8 of the last 10 against UK.
Week 10 vs. Oklahoma — Blackout game
This game is almost surely the blackout game. Halloween weekend and most likely the second biggest game of the season at home. John Mateer and the Sooners have a really good offense. The OL is the only question. Mateer is an elite dual threat QB and with the additions of Jadyn Ott, Javonnie Gibson, Jer’Michael Carter etc. this offense will be good. The problem for OU is the blackout game environment is as loud as any game in America. 2022 against Kentucky was a blowout, 2023 vs. South Carolina was a blowout, and 2024 against Kentucky was once again a blowout.
Week 11 — BYE
Week 12 vs. New Mexico State — They are from New Mexico
This one is another self explanatory win. This isn’t the same NMSU team with Diego Pavia that beat Auburn. In fact this NMSU went 3-9 last season. Last time we played a team from New Mexico was 1986 when the Vols beat the University of New Mexico. Anyways, this game will be over at halftime.
Week 13 vs. Florida — Defensive line play
Look DL play is important in every SEC game but especially important in The Swamp against a young QB. DJ Lagway has incredible potential and skill. The problem is he gets banged up it seems pretty easy. Tennessee has to create pressure for him so that he has to use his feet and scramble. Currently Lagway has a “calf strain” which has put him in a boot. Lagway does also have a pretty high interception rate. I think Lagway is a likeable guy and well spoken and I hope he has a season where he has no injuries but if UT is going to win this game they have to flush him outside the pocket.
Week 14 vs. Vanderbilt — Control Diego Pavia
It’s no secret Pavia has brought more excitement to Vandy football than we’ve seen since the James Franklin era. Vandy has some very good playmakers like Eli Stowers and Trent Hudson but their offense runs through Pavia. Control him, especially in the first half and the Vols should be on their way to victory.