Tennessee Vols' biggest win of each season this decade
The last ten years for the Tennessee Vols have been described by most as a roller coaster — albeit one with more downs than ups (only UT could make that possible). But despite the rocky decade, there's been at least one big win in each season for the Vols. Some years, it was difficult to […]
The last ten years for the Tennessee Vols have been described by most as a roller coaster — albeit one with more downs than ups (only UT could make that possible).
But despite the rocky decade, there's been at least one big win in each season for the Vols.
Some years, it was difficult to narrow it down to the biggest win (2016 for example).
In other years, there was only one "big win" (and yes, I'm aware that "big win" is subjective).
Here's what I believe were the biggest wins of each season for the Vols, starting with Derek Dooley's first season in Knoxville.
2010 — Tennessee 24 Kentucky 14
The fact that Tennessee's biggest win in 2010 was against Kentucky probably tells you all you need to know about the start of the Derek Dooley era on Knoxville.
After going 7-6 in 2009 under Lane Kiffin, the Vols took a step back in 2010.
Tennessee went winless in the month of October, which left the Vols needing to sweep November to reach bowl eligibility. The Vols were able to get past Kentucky in the final game of the season to become bowl eligible.
Tyler Bray tossed for 354 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Featured image via Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Next: Biggest win of 2011 >>>>>
2011 — Tennessee 27 Vanderbilt 21 (OT)
There wasn't much for Tennessee to be excited about in 2011.
Instead of taking a step forward in Derek Dooley's second season, the Vols took another step back.
Tennessee's win against Vanderbilt in 2011 was the Vols' only SEC win that season. After the game, Dooley famously told his locker room that the one thing UT always does is "kick the s— out of Vanderbilt".
The Vols would go on to lose their next two games to the Commodores in 2012 and 2013.
Image via The Tennessean
Next: Biggest win of 2012 >>>>>
2012 — Tennessee 35 NC State 21
Derek Dooley entered the 2012 season squarely on the hot seat.
But after the first game of the season, the win against NC State, it looked like the Vols had finally turned the corner in Dooley's third season.
Tennessee's win against NC State was memorable mostly because it was Cordarrelle Patterson's coming out party.
Patterson, a junior college transfer in his first game with the Vols, absolutely torched NC State, catching six passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. He also added 72 rushing yards and a touchdown.
While this seemed like a turning point for the Vols at the time, it turned out to be false hope. It was all downhill from here in 2012. Dooley was fired after an uninspired loss to Vanderbilt in November.
Image via Daniel Shirey-Abell Images
Next: Biggest win of 2013 >>>>>
2013 — Tennessee 23 South Carolina 21
Butch Jones' first year had plenty of tough moments (the losses to Oregon, Florida and Alabama), but the Vols also showed plenty of promise under their new head coach.
Tennessee nearly upset No. 6 Georgia in early October, falling to the Bulldogs in overtime.
After a bye week, the Vols finally got over the hump against No. 11 South Carolina.
The highlight of the game for Tennessee was likely Marquez North's 39 yard reception from Justin Worley that helped set up Michael Palardy's game winning field goal.
Image via USA Today
Next: Biggest win of 2014 >>>>>
2014 — Tennessee 45 South Carolina 42 (OT)
If the Vols don't beat South Carolina in 2014, they probably miss a bowl game for the third straight season.
And for a while on this night, that's exactly what it appeared was going to happen.
Tennessee was down by 14 with just 4:52 remaining in the game, but quarterback Josh Dobbs and running back Jalen Hurd refused to let the Vols lose.
Hurd had an especially important 21 yard touchdown reception on a fourth down play in the fourth quarter that kept Tennessee in the game.
Aaron Medley's field goal in overtime proved to be the game winner after South Carolina's Elliot Fry missed a 58 yard field goal that would've tied the game.
Image via Getty
Next: Biggest win of 2015 >>>>>
2015 — Tennessee 38 Georgia 31
The Vols came incredibly close to beating Georgia in 2012, 2013 and 2014. But they could never quite finish the game against the Bulldogs.
That finally changed in 2015.
Tennessee got off to a tough start in Butch Jones' third season. They had chances to beat Oklahoma, Florida and Arkansas, but they blew their chance in each game.
Against Georgia in 2015, it looked like the Vols weren't going to even have a chance to win the game. The Bulldogs raced out to a 21 point lead against Tennessee, but Josh Dobbs and company were able to rally to get the win.
Image via Getty
Next: Biggest win of 2016 >>>>>
2016 — Tennessee 38 Florida 28
The Vols' win against Georgina in 2016 was the most memorable ending to a game for Tennessee, but the win against Florida was absolutely the biggest.
UT's last win against Florida prior to their win in 2016 was in 2004 when James Wilhoit booted a 50 yard field goal to give the Vols the win.
Tennessee came close in 2014 and 2015, but the Gators were able to win each matchup in the final moments.
Florida jumped out to a 21 point lead in the first half in 2016, but the Vols were able to score 35 points in the second half to finally beat the Gators.
Josh Dobbs' 67 yard touchdown to Jauan Jennings to give UT the lead stands as one of the most iconic plays in Tennessee history.
Image via Getty
Next: Biggest win of 2017 >>>>>
2017 — Tennessee 42 Georgia Tech 41
There wasn't much that went right for Tennessee in 2017. In fact, the win against Georgia Tech was the only real bright moment for the Vols.
And even then, it wasn't that bright of a moment.
Tennessee had to rally to beat Georgia Tech, after falling behind 28-14 in the fourth quarter. At that point in the game, the Vols' win probability was at five percent.
It took two overtimes for Tennessee to get the win. A failed two point conversion by Georgia Tech allowed the Vols to celebrate in Atlanta.
Image via USA Today
Next: Biggest win of 2018 >>>>>
2018 — Tennessee 30 Auburn 24
It wasn't hard to determine the Vols' biggest win in 2018.
UT failed to reach a bowl game for the second straight season, but Tennessee's road win against No. 21 Auburn gave Vol fans hope that the football program could be on the rise under new head coach Jeremy Pruitt.
Tennessee's win against Auburn was UT's first road win against a SEC West opponent since 2007. It was also their first win against the Tigers since 1999.
Image via John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Next: Biggest win of 2019 >>>>>
2019 — Tennessee 20 Mississippi State 10
There could be an argument made for the Vols' wins against South Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri or Vanderbilt in 2019.
But I think Tennessee's win against Mississippi State stands as their biggest win of the season.
When the Vols played the Bulldogs, UT was 1-4 and staring at a possible 1-6 start (with Alabama next on the schedule). The win against Mississippi State gave fans a glimmer of hope that Tennessee could still salvage the season.
And that's exactly what happened.
Starting with the win against the Bulldogs, UT won six of their final seven games to finish with an improbable 7-5 record and a trip to the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, FL on January 2.
Image via Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
