Tennessee’s first bowl projections of the season are in, and both ESPN writers landed on the same destination for the Vols.
Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach each have Tennessee headed to the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 2, in Orlando, FL. The only difference is the opponent: Bonagura projects Nebraska, while Schlabach has Iowa.
That’s the kind of early forecast that can shift in a hurry, especially with Tennessee about to walk into its biggest test yet. The Vols are set to host No. 1 Texas this Saturday afternoon in their SEC opener, a game that’s drawing attention from both ESPN’s College GameDay and President Donald Trump, reportedly.
Tennessee has done what it was supposed to do through the non-conference stretch, handling Furman, Georgia Tech, and Kennesaw State in the first three weeks. The Vols rolled past Furman and Kennesaw State at Neyland Stadium and avoided a stumble against Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Mission accomplished, at least for now.
But the real season starts now.
The Citrus Bowl itself is a familiar spot for Tennessee. The Vols were there to close out the 2023 season, and Nico Iamaleava made his first start in that game, leading Tennessee to a 35-0 shutout of Iowa.
If either of ESPN’s projected matchups held up, the opponent would bring some early-season momentum of its own. Nebraska and Iowa are both 3-0, and Iowa sits at No. 17 in the latest AP Poll.
Nebraska’s schedule includes four ranked opponents - Indiana, Oregon, Ohio State, and Iowa - while Iowa will face two ranked teams, Michigan and Ohio State. The Hawkeyes get those matchups over the next two weeks before settling into an all-unranked finish.
None of that changes the bigger picture for Tennessee, though. There’s still a long way to go, and the Vols have plenty of chances to improve their postseason position over the next couple of months, whether that means the College Football Playoff or the traditional bowl path.
Tennessee’s schedule still includes four ranked opponents: No. 1 Texas, No.
8 Alabama, No. 23 Texas A&M, and No.
10 LSU. That number could grow to five by the time Kentucky arrives in November.
For now, the focus is on Texas. No. 14 Tennessee will host the Longhorns in Neyland Stadium on Saturday afternoon as a 4.5-point underdog on DraftKings.
In Other News...
College GameDay Guest Picker For Tennessee Texas Could Spark Vols Debate
ESPNs College GameDay is headed to Knoxville for Tennessees showdown with Texas on Sept. 26, and the familiar guessing game is already underway around who will handle the celebrity guest picker role. When the show comes to a host campus, it usually leans into local flavor, and Tennessee has no shortage of recognizable names to choose from after years of memorable selections that mixed sports, music and comedy.
Rick Barnes, Bianca Belair, Candace Parker and Kenny Chesney are among the names being floated, which gives the Vols plenty to debate before the cameras ever arrive. The decision will matter less for the picks than for the vibe, since GameDay guest spots tend to become part of the weekends identity, especially when a major SEC matchup brings the kind of attention Knoxville is about to get. [Read more 🡒]
Former Vol Kaleb Beasley Is Creating An Uncomfortable Tennessee Question
Kaleb Beasleys move from Tennessee to Louisville has already turned into one of those transfer stories that lingers a little longer for Vols fans. The Nashville product was once viewed as a highly rated local recruit, and after spending time as a backup safety in Knoxville, he has started to find a bigger stage elsewhere. His recent showing in Louisvilles win over SMU made sure the attention followed him, because he was all over the field and came away with a performance that drew national and conference recognition.
For Tennessee, the uncomfortable part is simple: Beasley is suddenly looking like the kind of defensive back the Vols could have used. He led Louisville in tackles and picked off two passes in that game, then added the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors to the resume. When a former in-state recruit starts stacking that kind of production after leaving town, it naturally invites a second look at how his path unfolded and what it means for the roster Tennessee is trying to build now. [Read more 🡒]
Rick Barnes Just Added More Emotion To Tennessee Vs Texas
Rick Barnes added a little more emotion to an already charged matchup by leaning into the history on both sides before Tennessee meets Texas. The Volunteers coach spent 17 years running the Longhorns program, so his perspective on this one comes with a built-in layer of familiarity, and he made clear he still carries good memories from that time while also showing appreciation for the athletic directors at both schools.
Barnes, though, left no doubt where his focus sits now. Ahead of the game, he spoke as a coach invested in Tennessee and its basketball program, which gives this meeting a little extra edge beyond the usual nonconference intrigue. For Tennessee fans, it is another reminder that this game is more than a reunion for Barnes, even if the details of that Texas connection still linger in the background. [Read more 🡒]