Tennessee Vols listed as a 'trap game' for SEC powerhouse in 2022

Could the Tennessee Vols knock off one of the best teams in the nation in 2022? At least one national sports publication thinks it's a possibility. 247Sports recently named the 10 biggest "trap games" of the 2022 season and they included Tennessee's matchup against Alabama on October 15 on their list. From 247Sports: Initially, Alabama’s […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Could the Tennessee Vols knock off one of the best teams in the nation in 2022?

At least one national sports publication thinks it's a possibility.

247Sports recently named the 10 biggest "trap games" of the 2022 season and they included Tennessee's matchup against Alabama on October 15 on their list.

From 247Sports:

Initially, Alabama’s trap game looked like it might be the road test at Ole Miss. But then, Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher got into a public dispute, making Oct. 8 the biggest game of the regular season. So now, the Crimson Tide open October on the road against a tough Arkansas team, and then face Texas A&M at home. After those two exhausting games, Alabama hits the road to face a Tennessee team that has not won more than eight games in a season since 2016. But things are turning around and Alabama could be looking to rest up a bit.

Tennessee Vols
Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden (13) gestures after breaking up a pass during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football

I'm not about to predict that Tennessee will beat Alabama in 2022 — this game is a win for the Crimson Tide until it's not.

But this game is set up somewhat in the Vols' favor. Alabama, as 247Sports noted, will be coming off tough back-to-back games. And they don't get their bye week until the final weekend of October.

The Vols, on the other hand, have their bye week at the beginning of October. Tennessee plays LSU in Baton Rouge the week before this game, but the Volunteers should still be the more rested team, which will help offset some of the depth advantages that Alabama has over UT.

Tennessee hung with Alabama into the fourth quarter in Tuscaloosa last year. The Vols proved they can compete with the Crimson Tide for 45 minutes. Can they squeeze out that last 15 minutes in 2022? That could be the deciding factor in this matchup.

Featured image via Henry Taylor/The Leaf-Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK

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