Predicting the winners of college football games in July — especially when they involve the Tennessee Vols — is a nearly impossible task.

So why even try it?

Because predictions are fun. And when they're in print, it means someone is accountable.

I'm a big fan of being held accountable. Good prediction or bad prediction, I will always own up to what I write.

For now, the following predictions are my view of the current state of UT football.

There are obviously a lot of unknowns, which makes it hard to make solid predictions.

But maybe I'll look like a modern day Nostradamus at the end of the season. Or maybe I'll look foolish. We'll have to wait a few months to see.

Until then, here's how I see the 2019 season playing out for Tennessee.

2019 game by game predictions for Tennessee —->>>

Featured image via Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

August 31 — Georgia State @ Tennessee

This is the game the Vols should've started the season with last season (I know, I know, advanced scheduling and the such).

Starting the season with West Virginia was the difference in reaching a bowl game. I'm not a big fan of "cupcake" games, but they certainly have their place for a rebuilding program. Winning six games last season, with the possibility of winning a seventh in a bowl game, likely would've landed the Vols an extra commitment or two.

Anyway, Tennessee should cruise in their season opener against Georgia State. This will basically be a glorified scrimmage, which is what the Vols need to start the season — especially with a new offensive coordinator in place.

Prediction: Tennessee wins

Record: 1-0

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September 7 — BYU @ Tennessee

This isn't a game the Vols can just look at as an automatic win.

BYU is coming off a seven win season that included a road win against Wisconsin. This is a team that knows how to beat Power-5 opponents. Tennessee, as a team coming off a five win season, won't be able to play sloppy and get a win against the Cougars.

However, I believe the Vols have more talent than BYU. And I think they have the coaching advantage. With this being the second game of the season, I think Tennessee will look sharp offensively and they'll win by double digits.

Prediction: Tennessee wins

Record: 2-0

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September 14 — Chattanooga @ Tennessee

This is a perfect game in mid September for the Vols to build some momentum.

After this game, the Vols play five SEC games, including road tilts against Florida and Alabama. There could be some tough losses coming UT's way in late September/October.

But this won't be one of them. The Vols will quickly get off to a 3-0 start, building plenty of hype for their matchup with the Gators in the Swamp…..

Prediction: Tennessee wins

Record: 3-0

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September 21 — Tennessee @ Florida

I'm not 100 percent sold on Dan Mullen as the guy who is going to bring a national championship back to Gainesville. I think he's a good coach, but I wouldn't classify him as great.

Eventually, I think Jeremy Pruitt and his Vols will start winning more games against Florida than they lose. But I don't think that happens in 2019.

Asking Tennessee to go into Florida and win in Pruitt's second year is a bit much. While it wouldn't shock me if UT came away with a road win, I don't think it's likely.

Prediction: Tennessee loses

Record: 3-1

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October 5 — Georgia @ Tennessee

ESPN recently said that Georgia should "beware" of this game with Tennessee.

But I think that's silly on a couple of different levels.

First off, Kirby Smart isn't looking past any matchup with Jeremy Pruitt — regardless of the talent level on either side of the ball.

That leads me to my second point. The talent gap between these two programs is still too large. Tennessee will be well coached. And they'll play well against the Bulldogs. Maybe the game will be competitive into the fourth quarter. But there's no chance the Vols are beating UGA in 2019.

Prediction: Tennessee loses

Record: 3-2

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October 12 — Mississippi State @ Tennessee

Tennessee proved last year they can actually beat SEC West teams.

This year, they'll have to prove it wasn't a fluke.

By this point in the season, I think Jim Chaney will be in a nice groove. And I think quarterback Jarrett Guarantano will have as much confidence as ever. This will be the week that I think we truly see the Vols' potential under Pruitt. I feel confident that Tennessee's performance against the Bulldogs will be the best we've seen so far in the Pruitt era.

Prediction: Tennessee wins

Record: 4-2

Image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

October 19 — Tennessee @ Alabama

There's not a lot to say about this game. Alabama and Tennessee are nowhere close to each other when it comes to talent.

I've said for a long time that we'll know the Vols are truly "back" when the game against Bama is a "toss up" game every year.

That's not the case in 2019. Alabama will win easily against Tennessee.

Prediction: Tennessee loses

Record: 4-3

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October 26 — South Carolina @ Tennessee

Everyone is concerned about the Vols ending their losing streak against Alabama, but the streak most likely to end in 2019 is UT's losing streak against Will Muschamp.

Tennessee has never beat Muschamp. They've come close a few times, but they haven't been able to pull it off.

I like the Vols' chances at home in 2019. They nearly beat SC in 2017 with the worst UT team in program history. They came close again in 2018. This year, I think they finally break through against Muschamp.

Prediction: Tennessee wins

Record: 5-3

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November 2 — UAB @ Tennessee

This is a well placed game for Tennessee. After a tough stretch against SEC opponents, the Vols need a game against a "weaker" opponent.

Of course, UAB isn't exactly a pushover. They won 11 games last season, including a win against Northern Illinois in the Boca Raton Bowl. Bill Clark is one of the most well regarded coaches in the nation, so he'll definitely have his team prepared to come into Neyland.

But the Vols are more talented. And that talent should be enough to earn their sixth win of the season.

Prediction: Tennessee wins

Record: 6-3

Image via Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

November 9 — Tennessee @ Kentucky

By this point, it's easy to see how a nine win season is within reach for the Vols.

But let's not forget that this is still a team without a ton of depth. And this isn't the same Kentucky team that gets kicked around by the rest of the SEC. The Wildcats are a solid program and they'll be looking for revenge after they lost to the Vols last season.

I think the long season will once against start to take its toll on Tennessee by November. This game will be close, but UK will ultimately win in Lexington.

Prediction: Tennessee loses

Record: 6-4

Image via Randy Sartin/USA Today Sports

November 23 — Tennessee @ Missouri

This is the hardest game on the schedule for me to pick. Part of me thinks Tennessee cruises. And part of me thinks the Tigers will once again give the Vols more than they can handle.

These are all guesses, but this is the biggest guess of them all. The Vols still need to prove a lot to me before I believe in their ability to win eight or nine games. I'm going with Mizzou in this one.

Prediction: Tennessee loses

Record: 6-5

Image via Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

November 30 — Vanderbilt @ Tennessee

This might be the most important game on Tennessee's schedule this season. The Vols absolutely can't lose a fourth straight game to Vanderbilt (something that hasn't happened since the 1920's).

Last season, I think coaching and depth hurt the Vols. I don't think Tennessee's coaching was bad, I just think the lack of head coaching experience hurt Pruitt late in the season.

A lack of experience, however, won't be an issue for Pruitt in 2019.

Tennessee is the better team. They'll be at home. This isn't a game they're losing.

Prediction: Tennessee wins

Record: 7-5

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