4. Virginia vs. Tennessee– Nashville Kickoff Game, Nashville, Tennessee
According to Knoxnews.com Tennessee football’s scheduled road game against BYU was canceled by the Vols in favor of a game against Virginia in Nashville because canceling BYU helps UT avoid a potential loss.
This will be the third time in history that Tennessee will open a college football season at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The Vols and Virginia have played four times and Tennessee holds a 3-1 advantage. Virginia has only nine returning starters so there are a lot of new faces. The Hoos have 8 transfers and 20 freshmen that will battle for starting positions.
Tennessee finished 11-2 and No. 6 in the final college football AP Poll, so the Volunteers will be out to prove that the 2022 season was no fluke.
Can coach Heupel find a starting quarterback and replace their top two receivers along with managing the required defensive improvement? Tennessee returns enough talent that they should run roughshod on Virginia in Nashville.