The Tennessee Vols exceeded expectations in 2021 by going 7-6 in Josh Heupel's first season as the program's head coach.

It was an impressive first season for Heupel — especially considering that some analysts had Tennessee only winning four or five games in 2021.

Expectations in 2022, however, will be higher for Tennessee.

The Vols need to show some progress this upcoming season to prove that Heupel truly has the program on the right trajectory. No one is expecting Tennessee to upset Georgia and win the SEC East this upcoming season, but UT needs to at least win a game or two more than they did in 2021.

As long as that happens, the Vols' positive momentum will continue into next offseason.

Early bowl game projection has Tennessee Vols matching up against a familiar face

The latest pre-season bowl game projection has the Vols facing a familiar face.

247Sports is predicting that Tennessee will play the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the Tampa Bay Bowl.

Wake Forest is coached by Dave Clawson, who served as Tennessee's offensive coordinator in 2008 (Phillip Fulmer's final season as UT's head coach).

If the Vols reach the Tampa Bay Bowl, it would likely mean that the program won either eight or nine games during the regular season (Tennessee last played in the Tampa Bay Bowl, then the Outback Bowl, on January 1, 2016, after winning eight regular-season games in 2015).

Finishing the 2022 season with nine wins would certainly be a sign of progress for Heupel and the Vols.

And playing in Tampa Bay in January would definitely be a nice reward for Tennessee's players and fans.

Featured image via Knoxville News Sentinel-USA TODAY Sports