Ranking Tennessee’s 2015 football games from easiest to toughest
- Wyeth Wilson
- Jun 8, 2015
- 3 min read
Tennessee’s football schedule is never easy, and 2015 is no different.
Although the schedule is not quite as demanding as it has been in recent years, the Vols will still play five teams ranked in the preseason top 25.
Here are Tennessee’s games, ranked from easiest to most difficult:
12. vs. Western Carolina, Sept. 19
Western Carolina is the only non-FBS team on Tennessee’s schedule, which mean they are the easiest game on the schedule pretty much by default.
This game is sandwiched between matchups against Oklahoma and Florida for the Vols, so it will serve as a nice tune up before Tennessee gets to SEC play.
11. vs. North Texas, Nov. 14
North Texas was one of the worst teams in Conference USA last season as they posted a 4-8 (2-6) record.
This is Tennessee’s third to last game of the season, and will be a week where the Vols can gather themselves before their two final SEC matchups with Missouri and Vanderbilt.
10. vs. Bowling Green (in Nashville), Sept. 5
Bowling Green very well could be switched out with Vanderbilt for the number ten spot, but since Vanderbilt is an SEC school, they get the nod.
Bowling Green is certainly not an SEC caliber team, but Tennessee shouldn’t overlook them in the season opener.
9. vs. Vanderbilt, Nov. 28
Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason’s first season at the helm for the Commodores did not go well.
Vanderbilt finished with a 3-9 (0-8 SEC) record and was one of the worst teams in SEC history.
This is Tennessee’s last game of the season, and it’s against their in-state rival, so it’s hard to envision the Vols losing this one.
8. at Kentucky, Oct. 31
Kentucky football is definitely on the rise under head coach Mark Stoops, but they still have a ways to go.
Commonwealth Stadium on Halloween will be an electric atmosphere, though, and the Vols shouldn’t overlook the Wildcats.
7. vs. South Carolina, Nov. 7
Tennessee has beaten South Carolina two years in a row and the Gamecocks experienced a disappointing 2014 season, so the Vols might overlook this game a little bit.
South Carolina may be on the way down as a program, but they still will have the talent to knock off anyone next season.
6. at Florida, Sept. 26
Tennessee hasn’t beaten Florida since 2004, but this year could be the year the streak ends.
Florida will be down in head coach Jim McElwain’s first season, but the Vols will have to get past the mental block of playing against the Gators.
5. vs. Arkansas, Oct. 3
2015 could be a breakthrough year for Arkansas under head coach Bret Bielema, and the matchup against Tennessee will be a measuring stick for who is ahead in the rebuilding process between the Hogs and Vols.
Arkansas’s run-heavy offense will pose an interesting challenge for Tennessee, but if the Vols can get away from this game with a victory, winning the SEC East starts to become more realistic.
4. vs. Oklahoma, Sept. 12
Oklahoma will travel to Knoxville this season for the second half of the home and home series with Tennessee.
The Sooners were better and more experienced when they beat the Vols 34-10 last season, but that might not be the case this season.
Neyland Stadium will be rocking for the 2015 home opener, and Tennessee will have a chance to burst onto the national scene with a win.
3. at Missouri, Nov. 21
Tennessee has not beaten Missouri since the Tigers joined the SEC, but this season could be different. The Tigers lose a lot on both sides of the ball, but will still be a contender in the wide-open SEC East.
This game between Missouri and Tennessee could be an important factor in determining the winner of the division.
2. vs. Georgia, Oct. 10
Georgia enters the 2015 season with SEC and national title hopes, but one potential slip up is a week six trip to Knoxville. Tennessee has come close to beating the Bulldogs for the past three seasons, but this season they will look to get over the hump.
The game has the potential to be a SEC East championship game of sorts.
1. at Alabama, Oct. 24
Tennessee’s trip to Tuscaloosa in October will be their toughest game of the season.
The Tide will once again be a national title contender, and Tennessee just isn’t quite ready to go into an environment like Bryant-Denny Stadium and win against a team like Alabama.
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