Tennessee Football: Las Vegas releases early point spreads for 4 games on Volunteers schedule

It was a solid first season for Josh Heupel as head football coach for the Tennessee Volunteers. Heupel finished with a winning record (7-6) and led Tennessee to the Music City Bowl, though it lost to Purdue.

Although Heupel’s first season provided hope of a brighter future to a fanbase that endured a 3-7 season the year prior to his arrival, the work is far from over. Las Vegas recently released point spreads for four games ahead of the 2022 season that show just how far the gap still is between the Volunteers and the SEC’s elite. In a road matchup against defending national champion Georgia on Nov. 5, Tennessee finds itself a 15.5-point underdog.

It isn’t all bad, though. The Volunteers are still favored in a pair of the early matchups and will hope to find a way to exceed expectations in Heupel’s second season. Below is the list of point spreads released so far for Tennessee football games in 2022:

• Tennessee (-4) at Pittsburgh, Sept. 10
• Alabama (-13.5) at Tennessee, Oct. 15
• Kentucky at Tennessee (-3.5), Oct. 29
• Tennessee at Georgia (-15.5), Nov. 5

More on the four matchups for Tennessee football

Tennessee finished 1-2 against the three SEC foes this past football season, with the Volunteers’ lone victory coming against Kentucky. They also faced Pittsburgh in 2021, losing by a score of 41-34.

The Panthers are the second game on the schedule for Heupel and company this season. They suffered big blows this offseason losing both starting quarterback Kenny Pickett and Biletnikoff winner Jordan Addison. With that in mind, this could be the perfect opportunity for Tennessee to get its revenge.

The Volunteers will face a tall task if they are able to take out either Alabama or Georgia, both of which return starting quarterbacks Bryce Young and Stetson Bennett. Tennessee gave up a combined 93 points to the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide this past season and will hope its defense can come more prepared in 2022.

Finally, Kentucky represents a chance for the Volunteers to notch a win against a quality SEC East opponent. They pulled out a 45-42 road victory against the Wildcats last season behind 316 yards passing and four touchdowns from Hendon Hooker. This year Tennessee will be at home, giving it an even better chance to come away with a win.