November 7th vs. South Carolina
Daniel: I have no idea what to expect from South Carolina this year – I could see anything from not making a bowl to SEC East contender. I do know the Vols will have to do a better job containing Pharoh Cooper, and I have a feeling Cam Sutton will follow him everywhere he goes from pregame warm-ups to the final handshakes. I also know Steve Spurrier almost never loses to the same team three times in a row. So while I like Tennessee on paper and think most Vol fans are chalking this one up as a W, this could be a tricky game for the Vols. For now, I’ll say that Butch Jones continues to take care of business against Spurrier, but I don’t consider this one an automatic win by any stretch of the imagination. Winner: Tennessee
Houston: Few coaches have ever beaten Steve Spurrier three years in a row, but Butch Jones has a chance to start 3-o against the Head Ball Coach. South Carolina lost a lot of proven talent off of last year’s team and will be breaking in a new defensive system in 2015. I think that could spell a slow start, but also a strong finish for the Gamecocks this season. That said, Butch Jones just knows how to beat Spurrier – big plays and a little luck. Considering Tennessee has continued to widen the talent gap over the Gamecocks in recent years, I think the Vols find a way to win another close game. Winner: Tennessee
Reed: Under Butch Jones, the Vols have beaten a South Carolina team which finished the season ranked 4th nationally and an SC team which struggled to earn a bowl bid. The Gamecocks may surprise some people this year (overall they have similar talent to Tennessee), but it doesn’t matter how good they are, the Vols are now expected to beat them. Winner: Volunteers
