The Tennessee Vols’ 2022 season, when they went 11-2 with wins over Alabama, Florida, and LSU, was easily the most memorable year of the post-Phillip Fulmer era.

Fans weren’t sure what to expect in 2022 after the Vols went 7-6 in 2021 in year one of the Josh Heupel era.

There was optimism that Tennessee would take a step forward, but I don’t think anyone anticipated an 11-2 season that saw the Volunteers ranked No. 1 in the nation at one point.

That season started with a 59-10 win over Ball State before the Vols went on the road for a tough game against Pittsburgh.

This INT was a key turning point in the game. And it was a team effort. Pressure from the DL, the pursuit by Beasley (who came from the other hash), the tip by Hadden, and the impressive INT in the back of the end zone by Flowers. pic.twitter.com/U2vEOhYY20

— zach ragan (@zachTNT) September 11, 2022

Tennessee managed to get a win in overtime thanks to a game-winning touchdown pass from Hendon Hooker to Cedric Tillman. That tough win over Pittsburgh essentially set the tone for Tennessee’s impressive run through September and October.

The Vols will have a similar game in 2026 — Week 2 on the road against Georgia Tech.

“That Georgia Tech game, that one to me — one game never completely sets the tone or defines a season,” said On3’s Chris Low last week on WNML’s Josh and Swain. “But how they play in that game — if they can go in there and win — that to me is a big factor for this football team (in 2026).”

“That’ll be a physical game,” added WNML’s Jayson Swain. “And you have to flip the switch from Furman to playing a team that could play in the SEC when you look at the style of Georgia Tech.”

I’m willing to go a step further than Low — I think this Georgia Tech game absolutely will set the tone for Tennessee’s season. Getting a win on the road in Week 2 with a freshman quarterback starting, in my opinion, would give the Vols the confidence they need to make a statement two weeks later against Texas in Neyland Stadium (I’m not predicting the Vols beat the Longhorns if they get a win against Georgia Tech in Week 2 — that would be silly to predict in early August — but I think a win against the Yellow Jackets would give Tennessee some important momentum and confidence going into that matchup).

For Tennessee, the most important game is always the next one. But in terms of how one game can impact the rest of the season, I don’t think there’s a more important game on the schedule than the Week 2 matchup against Georgia Tech.