Ranking the most anticipated Tennessee games for this season

Because the Tennessee Volunteers gear up for the 2024 school soccer season, followers are eagerly anticipating a collection of high-stakes matchups that promise to outline their marketing campaign. 

From renewing historic rivalries to dealing with off in opposition to formidable opponents within the SEC, listed below are probably the most anticipated video games for the Volunteers this upcoming season.

3. Vs. Florida, Oct. 12

The rivalry between the Volunteers and the Florida Gators is likely one of the most storied in school soccer, courting over 100 years to their first assembly in 1916. This season’s sport on Oct. 12 carries important weight, particularly after the Gators upset the Vols final yr, 29-16.

This sport shall be a take a look at for the Volunteers, proving whether or not they’re contenders or pretenders within the SEC. Regardless of being the higher soccer group on paper, Tennessee has usually struggled in opposition to Florida. Of their previous 10  contests, the Vols are 2-8 in opposition to the Gators and are 1-2 beneath head coach Josh Heupel.

Successful this sport is essential for the Volunteers, not just for bragging rights but in addition for sustaining their standing in a extremely aggressive convention.

2. At Oklahoma, Sept. 21

The Volunteers’ conflict with the Oklahoma Sooners on Sept. 21 is likely one of the most intriguing matchups on their schedule. This sport marks the primary assembly between the 2 packages since September 2015. Including to the joy, it is going to be Oklahoma’s first convention sport within the SEC.

This matchup is laden with storylines. Tennessee’s head coach, Josh Heupel, has deep ties to the Sooners, having quarterbacked them to a nationwide championship in 2000 and later serving as their offensive coordinator from 2011-14. 

The sport may also characteristic two first-year beginning quarterbacks, Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold and Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava, each of whom had been five-star recruits within the 2023 class. This encounter is not only concerning the sport; it’s concerning the narrative, the historical past and the way forward for these two packages within the SEC.

1. Vs. Alabama, Oct. 19

No sport on the Tennessee schedule stirs extra emotion than their annual conflict with the Alabama Crimson Tide on the third Saturday in October. This rivalry, identified for its depth and historic significance, will see the villainous Crimson Tide go to Knoxville on Oct. 19. The ambiance shall be electrical as followers anticipate probably the most heated matchups in all of school soccer.

The latest historical past between these two groups provides one other layer of drama. In 2022, the Volunteers pulled off a surprising upset in opposition to Alabama in Neyland Stadium, just for the Tide to precise revenge the next yr in Tuscaloosa. 

Though a lot of the gamers from these contests are gone, the conferences from the previous two seasons are recent within the fan’s minds. They’re searching for retribution.

This yr, the Volunteers will face Alabama’s new head coach, Kalen DeBoer, after the legendary Nick Saban introduced his retirement following the 2023 season. DeBoer is a confirmed winner and a really artful play designer. 

Final season, he led the Washington Huskies to a 14-1 season and an look within the nationwide championship. The Vols’ protection must be ready for a brand new, fast-paced ‘Bama offense.