National outlet gives Tennessee football program the two word praise that every fan hopes to hear about their team
One writer put some empirical proof behind the compliment
When it comes to what programs are considered “blue bloods” in the college football world, everyone’s school wants to be a part of that conversation. However, what constitutes the term is amorphous and undefined.
One notable national outlet had an interesting series of factors in coming up with a list. On3 Sports’ Andy Staples came up with a list of 12 schools that he considers to be blue bloods, and the Tennessee Volunteers found themselves on the list.
I think that’s an interesting set of criteria to consider. Blue bloods, when it comes down to it, should be considered programs that have had success for an extended period of time throughout the sport, as well as having a championship in the not-too-distant past.
While some skeptics might argue the Vols’ is too distant, it was at least in the Bowl Championship Series era as Staples pointed out, as Tennessee won the first-ever BCS national championship game in January 1999.
What is inarguable is the Vols success in the sport going back to the days of General Robert Neyland, who led Tennessee to four national championships from 1938 to 1951 along the way to a 173-31-12 career as a head coach. Tennessee also claimed a national title in 1967 before returning to the top of the mountain in all of the polls with a 13-0 season in 1998 under Phillip Fulmer for the program’s sixth title.
The Vols sit third in SEC history in conference titles with 13, and they are top 10 nationally all time in winning percentage at .670 (875-417-53). They are also top 10 in all-time bowl wins with 31.
Naturally, Tennessee fans want to see that success to return at a greater frequency than it has so far in the 21st century, but Heupel has made substantial strides as he heads into his fifth season, with the Vols having won double digit games twice in the last three years.
But like it or not, the Vols’ history completely backs up Staples assertion that Tennessee is indeed a blue blood program in college football.
