Latest bowl game projection for the Tennessee Vols in 2022

247Sports revealed their most recent bowl game projections this week for the 2022 season and they have the Tennessee Vols heading to Florida in January. The latest bowl game projection from 247Sports has the Vols playing NC State in the Tampa Bay Bowl (formerly the Outback Bowl) on January 2. From 247Sports: Formerly known as […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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247Sports revealed their most recent bowl game projections this week for the 2022 season and they have the Tennessee Vols heading to Florida in January.

The latest bowl game projection from 247Sports has the Vols playing NC State in the Tampa Bay Bowl (formerly the Outback Bowl) on January 2.

From 247Sports:

Formerly known as the Outback Bowl, this game in Tampa pits two teams with extremely high expectations. N.C. State is a borderline top-10 team with one of the nation's most favorable schedules after nearly winning the ACC Atlantic last fall. With 17 starters back including one of the nation's top quarterbacks in Devin Leary, this could be a special season in Raleigh for the Wolfpack. And Tennessee oozes with confidence heading into Josh Heupel's second season as a potential second-place finisher in the SEC East behind Georgia.

Tennessee Vols
Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles quarterback Willie Miller (6) is tackled by Tennessee Vols linebacker Tyler Baron (9) and linebacker Roman Harrison (30) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee last played in the Tampa Bay Bowl in early 2016 (after the 2015 season) against Northwestern. The Vols, who were then coached by Butch Jones, won that matchup 45-6 for their ninth win of the season.

UT also played in the Tampa Bay Bowl in early 2007 (after the 2006 season) against Penn State. Tennessee lost that matchup 20-10.

The last five teams to reach the Tampa Bay Bowl (excluding Ole Miss in the 2020 shortened pandemic season) had won at least eight games during the regular season. Auburn, which played in the Tampa Bay Bowl after the 2019 season, won nine games in the regular season (the Tigers lost to Minnesota in their bowl game matchup).

If this is the bowl game that Tennessee reaches, it will likely mean eight or nine regular-season wins and a second or third-place finish in the SEC East. That's right on par with most of the predictions/expectations we've seen for the Vols in 2022.

Tennessee just needs to show progress this upcoming season. Winning eight or nine regular-season games would show that Josh Heupel still has the Vols moving in the right direction.

Featured image via Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

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