LSU squeaked past Auburn and into the poll, coming in at #25 this week. It sets up the third ranked vs ranked game of this still-young season for Tennessee, and a chance for Josh Heupel to get his fourth ranked win overall.
In 2016, the Vols played four ranked vs ranked games in four weeks. Outside of that fateful stretch, Tennessee played just four other ranked vs ranked games from 2008-2021: one each in 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2020. In the 19 previous seasons from 1989-2007, the Vols averaged 4.4 ranked vs ranked games per year, and never played fewer than three.
With #1 Alabama, #13 Kentucky, and #2 Georgia still to come in the next five weeks, we’ve got a shot at some strength of schedule history. The Vols have played 5+ ranked vs ranked games in a single season 10 times in school history. They hit six in 1998, with 1991 holding the record at seven. Plenty of football left out there this year, but the Vols and their competition continue to look strong.
The season heads to Baton Rouge this week, with the #8 Vols opening as a four-point favorite. How are you feeling this week on Tennessee’s chances to tame the Tigers? And how many wins will we project for Tennessee this week, after landing at 9.21 during the bye week?
