Tennessee Football: 3 key games that could define the Vols season

Tennessee has a fairly easy schedule this football season, but there are still a few games on their schedule that could define the Vols season.

Every year we compare each football season with the previous one and pick certain games that we think are more important than the others.

Well, all the games will be important for the Vols in 2019, but there are a few that could make or break their season depending on the outcome.

For some, one of those games could be the Florida game in Gainesville, for others it could be the Vanderbilt game. Neither of those teams are on this list, but I can see where rivals can get in the way of expectations.

I’m not saying I expect or don’t expect the Vols to win either of those game I hope they win both, but I don’t think the Florida game is as important as it used to be and I don’t think we should be champing at the bit to play Vanderbilt.

The first game on this list comes prior to SEC play. This non-conference win in Knoxville could set the Vols up to kick off SEC play on a positive note if they can get a win against a solid team.

Week 2 vs BYU

One thing we don’t need to do is over look BYU. It’s ok to feel like we should beat them because we are Tennessee and they are BYU I even have a little bit of that feeling but as we know that’s not the case anymore and we can’t expect that.

BYU will be the first real test on the Vols schedule and depending on how they respond could represent how the rest of the season will turn out.

This will be an intriguing game for the players, coaches and the fans. Hopefully Neyland will be rocking and we won’t have to worry about BYU coming into Knoxville and stealing a win.

I think this will be the first game where we see what Guarantano has against a decent team along with how the offensive line and defense looks.

The next game on this list for the Vols has been talked about a lot. Whether it’s putting the Bulldogs on upset alert or thinking Tennessee is ultimately the better team the Vols are highly regarded in this next matchup.

Week 5 vs Georgia

The all-time record between Tennessee and Georgia is all tied up at 23. The Vols have lost two consecutive games against Georgia but this could be the year they turn that around.

One of the best non-head coaches in the SEC Jim Chaney was poached from Georgia by Jeremy Pruitt and Tennessee which is a big gain for Tennessee and a big loss for Georgia.

Along with all that the Vols were a few plays away from being in the game late last season. A couple things went Georgia’s way in Sanford Stadium but if the ball falls the Vols way in Neyland this year the Vols could very well walk out winners in at least four of their first five games.

Week 6 vs Mississippi State

The final key game on this list comes a week after the Georgia game as the Vols will face Mississippi State at home.

I’m not considering any of the last three games season defining games because they’re just not. I don’t care that Kentucky has now become a rival or we haven’t beaten Vanderbilt since 2015.

Beating an SEC West opponent for the second straight year would be huge for Pruitt and the Vols. If the Vols can win all three of these games they could very well be on pace for an eight win season.

But it’s a matter of can the Vols win these games. I believe they can win all three of these games and if Pruitt is our guy we will find out based on the outcome of his second season in Knoxville.

Football season is right around the corner folks and I’m trying not to get too excited but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a little excitement in my heart for Pruitt and the Vols this season.