Tennessee Football: 2021 season preview with predictions for Volunteers

Schedule/predictions for 2021

One bright spot for Tennessee is that the non-conference schedule isn’t too difficult and features four winnable home games. If the Vols can take care of business, they will only need a couple of wins in SEC play to reach the postseason.

That would be a positive step forward for Tennessee. Fans would likely be happy to have an offense with a pulse and a team that at least offered some excitement, as well as hope for the future. That’s what 2021 is about and here’s a look at game-by-game predictions.

• Week 1: vs Bowling Green (W): The Falcons were winless last season and the Vols will open the season by going over the 40-point mark.
• Week 2: vs Pitt (W): The Panthers are led by a veteran quarterback and were a .500 team a year ago, but the Vols will use the home-field advantage to pull this one out. Hooker will help too. This is the kind of game you want him starting.
• Week 3: vs Tennessee Tech (W): All the quarterbacks will get to play in this one as the Vols improve to 3-0 heading into conference play.
• Week 4: at Florida (L): Reality sets in for the Vols in late September as Florida wins by at least two touchdowns.
• Week 5: at Missouri (L): People always seem to underestimate Missouri but the Tigers return Connor Bazelak at quarterback and will win this game.
• Week 6: vs South Carolina (W): This is a must-win game for the Vols but Heupel gets the best of another first-year head coach in Shane Beamer.
• Week 7: vs Ole Miss (L): This will be an exciting game but the Vols offense won’t be able to keep up with Matt Corral and Lane Kiffin.
• Week 8: at Alabama (L): Tennessee football fans want this to be a rivalry game again but this season the Tide will roll.
• Week 9: at Kentucky (L): Mark Stoops has Kentucky in solid shape and this will be a close loss on the road for Tennessee.
• Week 10: vs Georgia (L): The SEC schedule is brutal and the Vols don’t get a break with the Bulldogs coming to town.
• Week 11: vs South Alabama (W): Despite four straight losses, Tennessee can still reach a bowl game and beats South Alabama to keep its hopes alive.
• Week 12: vs Vanderbilt (W): This is the one game Heupel can’t afford to lose this season in the SEC. The Vols have the clear edge in talent and salvage a 6-6 season with a win.

Record: 6-6 overall, 2-6 SEC

Tennessee football will make some positive strides this season and the offense will make the team fun to watch again. It will also help with recruiting and as long as the Vols reach a bowl game, the first year of the Heupel era can be considered a success.