Can Tennessee Football Head Coach Josh Heupel help the Vols post back-to-back winning records for the first time in six years?
It’s been a difficult road to get the Tennessee football team back on track after years of mediocrity, but Head Coach Josh Heupel is well on his way to getting the Vols back to prominence.
The Volunteers finished in the top four of the SEC last season in most major offensive categories: points per game (2nd), rushing yards per game (2nd), passing yards per game (4th), and total yards per game (3rd).
Their offense, led by returning QB Hendon Hooker, is primed to make another leap in 2022 with the help of star WR Cedric Tillman and an offensive line that returns four starters from last season (Darnell Wright, Jerome Carvin, Cooper Mays, and Javontez Spraggins).
How Tennessee football fares in 2022 will largely depend upon their defense, which will be tested mightily against heavyweight perennial contenders and non-conference threats alike.
Additionally, Heupel’s recruiting prowess will be put on display, too as a bulk of the roster will finally be composed of players he and his staff have recruited (versus keeping holdovers from the Jeremy Pruitt regime).
Let’s dive into the Tennessee Football schedule for 2022, make some predictions and see how far these Vols can go in the SEC East.
Tennessee football hosts Ball State from the MAC in Week 1 for a Thursday night season opener at Neyland Stadium. The Vols will have a chance to pounce on Ball State QB John Paddock, who has spent the past three seasons as a backup.
The senior has just four games of experience under his belt, completing 24 of 34 pass attempts for 180 yards and 1 interception in his career for the Cardinals.
Nothing like some fresh meat for the Vols’ defense to kick off a new season. Good luck, Ball State. You’re going to need it.
Prediction: Tennessee 38, Ball State 14 (1-0)
Pittsburgh defeated Tennessee at Neyland Stadium last season, powered by QB extraordinaire Kenny Picket and Biletnikoff wide receiver Jordan Addison.
Both of those stars are gone and inserted will be USC transfer QB Kedon Slovis and Akron transfer WR Konata Mumpfield.
These two players are excellent pickups for Pittsburgh Head Coach Pat Narduzzi, but will they have enough time to gel before this Week 2 showdown at Acrisure Stadium?
I don’t think so. I’m counting on the continuity and chemistry that Tennessee has with Hooker and Tillman to be the edge they need to get their first road win of the season.
Prediction: Tennessee 33, Pittsburgh 27 (2-0)
The Vols return home in Week 3 to face another opponent from the MAC. They’re going to need a good bounce-back game after losing what I believe will be a hard-fought, back-and-forth affair between Pitt and Tennessee.
Last season, Akron mustered just 19.8 ppg, which put them towards the bottom of the barrel among all Division 1 college football teams.
Their returning leaders on offense, RB Jonzell Norrils, and WR Tristian Brank, scored just three total touchdowns apiece last season.
To put that into perspective, Tennessee football player Cedric Tillman caught three touchdown passes by himself in one game last season— the Music City Bowl against Purdue.
Prediction: Tennessee 42, Akron 7 (3-0)