The 2016 SEC football season is almost here.
That means that I’ve got game-by-game predictions to make for every single team in the conference.
We’ve already made picks for Vanderbilt and Georgia (links at the bottom). Now it’s time to turn our attention to the team in the East that everyone is talking about.
Yes, it’s time for game-by-game predictions for Tennessee. Let’s dive in.
vs. Appalachian State (Sept. 1)
The Vols can’t afford to take this one lightly. Appalachian State won 11 games last year and returns a lot of starters.
Tennessee wins the game, but it may be close for a while.
Prediction: Win (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
vs. Virginia Tech (Sept. 10 in Bristol, TN)
This game will break the college football attendance record and there will be a lot of orange in the crowd.
Justin Fuente did a masterful job at Memphis, but the offense won’t be where it needs to be to beat Tennessee.
Prediction: Win (2-0, 0-0 SEC)
vs. Ohio (Sept. 17)
Ohio has had only one losing season since 2006. So, at least the Bobcats have that going for them.
These two teams last met in 2009, with Tennessee winning 34-23 in Knoxville.
This game won’t be that close.
Prediction: Win (3-0, o-0 SEC)
vs. Florida (Sept. 24)
And here we are. This is the game that has tormented Tennessee fans since 2004. The streak should have ended last season, but the Vols gave the game away and lost by a single point for the second straight year.
The prediction? The streak is over.
Tennessee is the more talented team, and if it loses this game, Butch Jones may be run out of town before he can get on the bus for Athens.
Prediction: Win (4-0, 1-0 SEC)
at Georgia (Oct. 1)
Kirby Smart has some issues to work out on both sides of the ball. But the biggest issue is at quarterback.
The Bulldogs may still be trying to find a groove on offense by the time this game rolls around. And just like the situation with Florida, Tennessee is the better team overall.
Plus, the momentum from finally ending the streak will help.
Prediction: Win (5-0, 2-0 SEC)
at Texas A&M (Oct. 8)
Here’s where the curveball comes. After winning back-to-back games against big rivals, the Vols enter the trap game of all trap games (you could consider Georgia a trap game as well).
Sandwiched between a close win at Georgia and the massive showdown with Alabama, Tennessee must enter Kyle Field and play a Texas A&M team that can score a lot of points.
This will be a high-scoring game as the Aggies hand the Vols their first loss.
Prediction: Loss (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
vs. Alabama (Oct. 15)
Tennessee’s late-September to mid-October stretch is never easy. And just like with Florida, this is a game that the Vols thought they should have won last year.
Unlike Florida, I don’t see Tennessee winning this game. Every single preseason we try to pick apart why Alabama won’t be as good as the year before. The same thing is happening this preseason.
The Crimson Tide have to sort out the quarterback situation, but it’ll be in good shape by this game.
As always, it’s close. But Alabama wins.
Prediction: Loss (5-2, 2-2 SEC)
at South Carolina (Oct. 29)
Tennessee goes from a brutal four-game stretch to being able to relax a bit for the next several weeks.
Will Muschamp has a lot of work to do to get the Gamecocks back into SEC East contention.
After a much-needed bye, the Vols steamroll South Carolina.
Prediction: Win (6-2, 3-2 SEC)
vs. Tennessee Tech (Nov. 5)
You know where I’m going here.
Prediction: Win (7-2, 3-2 SEC)
vs. Kentucky (Nov. 12)
Beyond 1-4 in the SEC East, there are serious question marks. As you’ll see from my East predictions, I don’t have Kentucky in the top four.
The Wildcats could be horrendous on defense. That doesn’t bode well for their visit to Knoxville.
The Vols might put up 40 here.
Prediction: Win (8-2, 4-2 SEC)
vs. Missouri (Nov. 19)
Missouri is the opposite of Kentucky. The Tigers defense could be decent, while their offense could be atrocious.
After all, they are now down to zero returning starters on the offensive line:
Another home blowout for the Vols.
Prediction: Win (9-2, 5-2 SEC)
at Vanderbilt (Nov. 26)
After four games that probably won’t be close, Tennessee finishes out the season with a tough road game in Nashville.
Listen, Vandy’s defense is gonna be stellar. That will help the Commodores keep this game close throughout.
But in knowing what is on the line, the Vols will find a way to pull it out in the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Win (10-2, 6-2 SEC)
Overall Thoughts
This is the year for Butch Jones and Tennessee.
If the Vols want to take a step forward, they have to win the East. There are no more excuses.
Tennessee isn’t in rebuilding mode anymore. Jones has to prove that he has what it takes to lead this team to a division title and it’s hard to see Vol fans accepting anything less.
That four-game stretch in the middle of the season will obviously decide everything.
Season Prediction: 10-2 overall, 6-2 SEC
Previous Predictions:
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Blake Lovell has worked in sports media for over 10 years. He currently covers SEC football and basketball for various publications.