CBS Sports recently named a “harsh reality” facing each top 25 college football team.

Their “harsh reality” for the Tennessee Vols revolves around the Volunteers’ remaining schedule.

CBS Sports pointed out that a couple of games on Tennessee’s schedule suddenly look more difficult than they did a few weeks ago.

Specifically, games against Mississippi State and Arkansas look a bit tougher.

“Tennessee’s path toward a return trip to the playoff was clear a month ago,” wrote CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford. “Handle business against Syracuse in the opener and get to 10 wins by splitting nationally-ranked matchups with Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma and Florida. Well, Syracuse looks like a disaster in Year 2 under Fran Brown while two other teams that were once seen as walkovers — Mississippi State and Arkansas — are 4-0 with red-hot offenses. The trips to Tuscaloosa and Gainesville may not be as daunting, but games inside Neyland Stadium with Oklahoma and Vanderbilt could be more challenging than anticipated. If the Vols end their skid against the Bulldogs this weekend and open SEC play with a victory, Tennessee will then move into the playoff picture as a legitimate league title contender.”

The Tennessee Vols are taking things one game at a time

Every SEC program has a daunting schedule — that’s just life inside of college football’s best conference.

That’s why I don’t think the early-season success from Mississippi State or Arkansas changes how Tennessee will approach those games. I think Vols head coach Josh Heupel was already going to approach those games like he would a game against Alabama or Florida.

Heupel likes to say that the most important game on Tennessee’s schedule is “the next one”.

As long as the Vols keep that mentality, they’ll put themselves in a good position to win important games against Mississippi State, Arkansas, Oklahoma, etc.

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Zach Ragan