3. 2013 South Carolina
While this win might not have had the postseason significance of Tennessee’s 2014 win over the Gamecocks, it was more important from a morale standpoint. And it gave Butch Jones a strong foundation on which to build.
The Vols would finish the 2013 season 5-7, marking the third-consecutive such season for the program. But Tennessee’s 23-21 upset over No. 11 South Carolina was the lone bright spot in that season, and it was the Vols’ first big win in what felt like ages.
Tennessee still had the stink of the Derek Dooley era on it in 2013, and the fans were starved for a win over a ranked opponent and an SEC school not named Kentucky or Vanderbilt (although Vanderbilt was still “good Vandy” at this time). South Carolina had the talent edge and had future No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney at defensive end. Not to mention Steve Spurrier was still at the helm of the Gamecocks, and he had beaten Tennessee three straight times while at South Carolina prior to this game.
But the Vols scrapped and fought their way to a victory, using a Michael Palardy field goal late in the game to steal away the win.
Tennessee’s program was as low as it ever had been when Butch Jones took it over. And this win showed he had potential to do what the previous coaching staff couldn’t.
