September 6th – Arkansas State
Daniel: The Vols welcome another team that doesn’t get a ton of national recognition, but is used to winning a lot of football games and playing in hostile environments. An astonishing seven different coaches have led the Red Wolves for a least one game since 2010 – making UT’s coaching turnover look tame. All that turnover and the loss of a majority of their 2013 offense helps give the Vols the edge, even on a shorter week of rest. They’ll be able to breathe a little easier in this one than the opener. Winner: Volunteers
Houston: Arkansas State may be able to hang with Tennessee a little longer than most are expecting. The Vols will be coming off of a short week and the younger players may have a little bit of a week two hangover for a game that won’t feature near the excitement as the home opener. As long as they don’t sleepwalk into the fourth quarter, however, Tennessee has enough talent to dispatch ASU without much trouble. Winner: Volunteers
Reed: This could be a trap game for the Vols. Arkansas State won’t be a trendy upset pick like Utah State the week prior and Tennessee will have a short week of practice to prepare…all before heading to Oklahoma the following week for a big matchup in Norman. Arkansas State notched 28 victories the past three seasons and returns eight all-conference starters from last year’s 8-5 squad. No game is a given for a team as young as Tennessee, but the Vols will have a decided talent advantage in this one and should take care of business in Neyland to start the season 2-0. Winner: Volunteers
