How a key game on the Tennessee Vols' schedule got a bit easier on Monday

The Tennessee Vols are hoping to win 10 games (or more) in 2022 for the first time since the 2007 season. It's definitely doable. But the Vols will likely need to win two out of three against Pittsburgh, Florida, and LSU for 10 wins to happen. After the opening weekend of college football, I think […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer

Sep 5, 2022 5:23 PM EDT

The Tennessee Vols are hoping to win 10 games (or more) in 2022 for the first time since the 2007 season.

It's definitely doable. But the Vols will likely need to win two out of three against Pittsburgh, Florida, and LSU for 10 wins to happen.

After the opening weekend of college football, I think it's safe to say that the game against Florida looks a bit more difficult while the game against LSU looks a bit easier.

The Gators looked good in their win against Utah — specifically quarterback Anthony Richardson, who looks like he'll be a problem for SEC defenses all season.

LSU, on the other hand, didn't look good at all in a loss to Florida State in New Orleans.

The Tigers looked poorly coached and out of sorts for most of the night.

And to make matters worse, LSU got some bad news on Monday.

It was reported that former five-star defensive lineman Maason Smith tore his ACL on Sunday night against the Seminoles.

Smith will miss the rest of the season.

Sep 4, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Louisiana State Tigers defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) celebrates a play during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Smith suffered the injury while celebrating a play early during the game. He was simply jumping to celebrate with a teammate (something we see hundreds of times a weekend). It was a bizarre and unfortunate injury for one of the better interior defensive linemen in the SEC.

Yikes. Maason Smith hurt himself celebrating. pic.twitter.com/kFaK95o8fe
— Connor O'Gara (@cjogara) September 5, 2022

Not having Smith will certainly make running the ball easier for Tennessee against the Tigers.

In addition to the injury to Smith, there's also some question as to whether or not star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte will still be on the Tigers' roster in a couple of weeks.

Boutte was barely involved in the loss to Florida State. And he scrubbed his social media of anything LSU-related after the game.

I’m dying to know (and will find out) the real story on what’s going on with LSU and its star WR Kayshon Boutte. LSU’s blatant lack of interest in getting him involved and Boutte’s obvious frustration was alarming!
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) September 5, 2022

The word from LSU is that Boutte (along with Tigers wide receiver Malik Nabers) went dark on social media to stay focused for the rest of the season.

In regard to #LSU receivers Kayshon Boutte, Malik Nabers and Kyren Lacy scrubbing their social media accounts last night, am told it was just them going dark on social media going forward after large negativity after Sunday's loss.

Boutte was still at film study today.
— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) September 5, 2022

That's certainly plausible, but that's still a situation worth monitoring moving forward.

LSU might improve under Brian Kelly as the season progress. But for now, it feels like Tennessee should have the upper hand when the two teams meet in Baton Rouge on October 8.

Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK