Where Tennessee Football's opponents are ranked in ESPN's post-spring Top 25
Tennessee Football moved up two spots to No. 15 in ESPN’s post-spring Top 25, updated on Monday by ESPN Senior Writer Mark Schlabach. There were also four opponent’s from this season’s schedule that made the ranking, including three in the top 13.
No. 1 Georgia
Georgia has won seven straight against Tennessee. The Vols won back-to-back games in the series in 2015 and 2016, winning 38-31 in Knoxville in 2015 and 34-31 in 2016, when Jauan Jennings hauled in the Hail Mary touchdown from Joshua Dobbs on the last play of the game.
ESPN on Georgia: “With a schedule that includes a nonconference opener against Clemson in Atlanta and SEC road games at Kentucky, Alabama, Texas and Ole Miss, a fourth straight unbeaten regular season might be asking a bit much of the Bulldogs. But there’s a reason coach Kirby Smart’s program won back-to-back CFP national titles in 2021 and 2022 and 46 of its past 48 games.”
No. 7 Alabama
Alabama overcame a 20-7 halftime deficit in October to beat Tennessee 34-20. The 52-49 win for the in October 2022 at Neyland Stadium broke the Crimson Tide’s streak of 15 straight wins in the series.
ESPN on Alabama: “It has been 131 days since legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban unexpectedly retired, and they’re still playing college football in Tuscaloosa. Just a friendly reminder that Saban’s replacement, Kalen DeBoer, had a 104-12 record in his previous three stops and directed Washington to a spot in the CFP National Championship last season.”
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No. 13 North Carolina State
Tennessee is 2-1 against North Carolina State. The Vols lost 16-0 in Raleigh in 1911, won 13-0 in Raleigh in 1939 and beat the Wolfpack 35-21 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta in 2012.
ESPN on NC State: “Dave Doeren has quietly guided the Wolfpack to 34 wins the past four seasons, including a 9-4 mark last year, despite having a mess in the quarterback room. That position shouldn’t be a problem with former Coastal Carolina star Grayson McCall taking over the offense.”
No. 18 Oklahoma
Tennessee goes to Oklahoma to open the SEC schedule on September 21 as the Sooners make their debut in the league. Oklahoma has won the two most recent meetings, 34-10 in Norman in 2014 and 31-24 in overtime at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville in 2016.
ESPN on Oklahoma: “The Sooners improved by four victories in coach Brent Venables’ second season, and programs typically make an even bigger jump in Year 3. The only problem: It’s also Year 1 in the SEC, and the schedule is downright scary. “
