ESPN names best and worst case scenarios for Tennessee Vols in 2023
ESPN named the best and worst-case scenarios for the Tennessee Vols in 2023 and it's a reminder of how far UT football has come under Josh Heupel. A few years ago, an 8-5 season was considered a successful season for the Vols. Over the last 15 years, in fact, there have been seasons where 8-5 […]
ESPN named the best and worst-case scenarios for the Tennessee Vols in 2023 and it's a reminder of how far UT football has come under Josh Heupel.
A few years ago, an 8-5 season was considered a successful season for the Vols.
Over the last 15 years, in fact, there have been seasons where 8-5 would've been a welcome surprise.
Now, that's considered the worst-case scenario for the Vols.
ESPN suggested this week that 8-5 — with losses to Florida, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia, and their bowl game opponent — is the worst-case scenario for Tennessee in 2023.
From ESPN: 8-5 with losses to Florida, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia and the bowl opponent. Even though Tennessee avoids a stout nonconference test, the SEC schedule tilts against the Vols this season with trips to Florida, Alabama and Kentucky. This is the most excitement surrounding the start of a Tennessee football season in two decades, and the Vols aren't going to catch anybody by surprise starting the season ranked so highly and with Heupel's offense putting up record-setting numbers a year ago. If the offense falls off some with Joe Milton at the helm, is the defense good enough to make up the difference? The pivotal game is Florida. The Vols haven't won in Gainesville since 2003. Their season could vary wildly depending on they fare in the Swamp.
As for the best-case scenario?
It's not a national championship, but it's close. ESPN thinks that a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance is the best-case scenario for the Vols this fall.
From ESPN: College Football Playoff semifinal. The Vols would have been in the playoff a year ago had it not been for the November debacle in Columbia where South Carolina won in a 63-38 rout. So Josh Heupel's club wasn't too far off in just his second season, as Tennessee won 11 games for the first time since the 2001 season. Despite losing Hooker and some other key players, Heupel thinks this will be the deepest and most talented roster he has had, and on defense, he anticipates the Vols being able to play more players. Tennessee gets Georgia at home in the next-to-last game of the season, so there's a chance the SEC Eastern Division title could be on the line that Nov. 18 day in Knoxville.
Anything less than a national championship will be a disappointment for Tennessee's players and coaches — they want to win every game on their schedule (as they should).
But reaching the playoff would be an incredible accomplishment — certainly one that no one would've thought was possible in early 2021 when Heupel took over as Tennessee's head coach.
Tennessee has a future defensive superstar on its roster and he’ll soon be a household name
The Tennessee Vols have a future defensive superstar on their roster and he’ll soon be a household name
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
