Two new bowl projections rolled in this week following Tennessee’s 41-20 victory over South Carolina last Saturday night in Knoxville.
Tennessee is at a little bit of a halfway point this season as the Vols stare down the open date this weekend, followed by a home game against Texas A&M on October 14. The Vols are 4-1 to start the season with wins over Virginia, Austin Peay, UTSA, and South Carolina and a loss against Florida. The road ahead will only get more challenging, though. Still on Tennessee’s schedule is Texas A&M, at No. 11 Alabama, at No. 20 Kentucky, vs UConn, at No. 21 Missouri, vs No. 1 Georgia, and vs Vanderbilt.
ESPN analysts Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach are both projecting Tennessee to take on the Big 10’s Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1, 1-1 Big 10), although, at different sites.
Bonagura has Tennessee returning to a familiar destination with his projection of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee’s Nissan Stadium on Saturday, December 30, at 2:00 p.m. ET.
The Vols earned a spot in the Music City Bowl during Josh Heupel’s first season on Rocky Top. Against a strong 8-4 Purdue football team, Tennessee lost in overtime in heartbreaking fashion as a controversial call against Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright allowed the Boilermakers to win the contest. Quarterback Hendon Hooker threw for nearly 400 yards and five touchdowns (150 yards and three scores for Cedric Tillman) while the Vols boasted 288 yards on the ground including 180 yards from running back Jabari Small.
Tennessee lost to Purdue 48-45 in overtime that game.
Schlabach sees Tennessee making the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Iowa, which will take place on Monday, January 1 in Orlando, Florida’s Camping World Stadium at 1:00 p.m. ET.
More from RTI: Tennessee Football Commit Trolls Teammate After Vols Defeat South Carolina
As always, Tennessee’s conference record will play a huge factor in the order teams are selected for the bowl game matchups.
No. 22 Tennessee has an open date this week but will be back in Neyland Stadium on Saturday, October 14 for a matchup against Texas A&M. The Vols’ athletic department announced on Thursday that Checker Neyland will be active for Tennessee’s big cross-conference game at 3:30 p.m. ET in Knoxville.
One Response
I think it is still a little early for predictions. Last season I, along with most fans, held my breath for 4 quarters every week on Saturday. We kept the faith but have gone so long hearing nothing but disrespect from so many media and sports venues that doubt seemed to creep in and kept us from being as whole hearted fans as we should have been. But the players brought us back to the die hard support we should have had all along. The next few games are the toughest any team will face from any conference but our boys know we are behind them 100 percent. Regardless, we love our team. We support our team. And we do have the high expectations for a Great and Honored tradition that we know will be upheld by our players and coaches..,….. and our Fans.