ESPN explains what can be learned about Tennessee during September
Tennessee football is less than three weeks away from kicking off the 2023 season and the Vols will do so by diving headfirst into a busy September schedule, opening with an important five-game run.
After facing Virginia in a neutral-site game in Nashville on September 2 (Noon ET, ABC) Tennessee opens its home schedule against Austin Peay on September 9 (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+/SEC Network+).
The Vols open the SEC schedule on the road with the always important matchup against Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on September 16 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN), host UTSA and redshirt senior quarterback Frank Harris a week later then have South Carolina at Neyland Stadium on September 30.
Tennessee was ranked No. 12 in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 on Monday, and according to ESPN, there will be plenty to learn about the Vols — either living up to the lofty ranking or falling flat — during the opening month.
‘(Joe) Milton has been the rage in the offseason’
“If quarterback Joe Milton III and the Vols can set themselves up for an all-important month of October,” ESPN’s Chris Low wrote of what Tennessee has to prove over the first five weeks. “Milton has been the rage in the offseason with his ability to throw the ball a mile and his mobility. He now gets a chance to show that he can run Josh Heupel’s high-powered offensive machine just as efficiently as Hendon Hooker did the past two seasons.
“Milton played well at the end of last season when he filled in for the injured Hooker. After starting his career at Michigan, this is Milton’s chance to show that he is ‘The Man’ for an entire season. His coaches and teammates have raved about his leadership and focus.”
Last season Milton passed for 971 yards and 10 touchdowns, completing 65 percent of his passes over nine games while playing behind Hooker. He started in Tennessee’s 56-0 win in the regular-season finale at Vanderbilt a week after Hooker’s season-ending ACL tear, throwing for 147 yards and a touchdown while the Vols rushed for 362 yards and six touchdowns as a team.
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Milton was named the Orange Bowl MVP after throwing for 251 yards and three touchdowns to lead Tennessee to the win over Clemson, connecting with Ramel Keyton, Squirrel White and Bru McCoy while the Vols were playing without Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman.
Vols are four-touchdown favorite against Virginia
Tennessee is a four-touchdown favorite against Virginia in the season opener and opened as a 7.5-point favorite at Florida, despite not winning in Gainesville since 2003. The Vols are a 13-point home favorite against South Carolina.
“The Vols shouldn’t have much trouble against Virginia in the season opener in Nashville,” Low wrote, “but a trip to the Swamp to face Florida awaits two weeks later. Milton is on record as saying, “I don’t lose in Florida.” Getting out of September unbeaten would set up a crucial three-game stretch in October — home against Texas A&M, on the road against Alabama and on the road against Kentucky.
“Nobody has ever questioned Milton’s arm strength. But making key decisions and key throws during critical points of the game — and in big games — is what will shape this season for him and the Vols.”
