Tennessee football schedule: Ranking the Vols' 2022 opponents

What to expect from Tennessee during the 2022 college football season.

Josh Heupel outperformed expectations in Year 1 at Tennessee, winning seven games behind an offense that ranked top 10 in college football and made a bowl game.

(And would have won that game if not for some poor officiating.)

Anyway, onto the 2022 season. And with plenty of hope as quarterback Hendon Hooker, one of the SEC's most efficient passers a year ago, returns to lead this offense and facing even greater expectations to make a move in the SEC East race.

That could prove difficult this season, however. In addition to division favorite Georgia, the Vols will have to contend with an improved South Carolina and potentially a Florida team that could take a leap forward under first-year coach Billy Napier.

First things first: winning the games on your schedule. What can the Vols look forward to this fall? Let's look at all of Tennessee's games, from the easiest to the hardest.

Tennessee football schedule: Ranking the Vols' 2022 opponents

12. UT Martin

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When: Oct. 22

Where: Knoxville

What to expect: These are the kinds of midseason games that help programs get back on track in the midst of their SEC schedule. Case in point for this game, which comes after UT tangles with Florida, goes to LSU, and hosts Alabama. And then plays Kentucky and goes to Georgia.

11. Akron

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When: Sept. 17

Where: Knoxville

What to expect: Tennessee comes home from a date against ACC champion Pittsburgh and goes into what should be one of the easiest wins on their schedule. Joe Moorhead enters Year 1 of a complete rebuild at Akron, and while most analysts think he'll get something done there, it won't be this season, and it won't be on Rocky Top.

10. Ball State

When: Sept. 1

Where: Knoxville

What to expect: Another opener against a MAC team for the Vols, this time a Ball State club that won six games and went to a bowl last fall, a year after it won the conference title. While the Cardinals could make some noise in their own league, they won't come out of Neyland with a win. A good tune-up for UT as it prepares for its Week 2 game at Pitt.

9. Vanderbilt

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When: Nov. 26

Where: Nashville

What to expect: The season finale comes against Tennessee's old in-state rival and annual SEC punching bag Vandy, winless in conference last season and not expected to be all that much better, especially after losing a few key pieces in the transfer portal. The Dores averaged just under 16 points per game a year ago and this defense allowed almost 40 points each time out against SEC opposition.

8. Missouri

When: Nov. 12

Where: Knoxville

What to expect: The first of three very winnable games to close out the regular season for UT, and the team's home finale. Eli Drinkwitz has to break in a new quarterback after Connor Bazelak transferred to Indiana this offseason. And a new running back following the departure of Tyler Badie, the SEC's all-purpose yardage leader in 2021. Missouri will welcome 5-star wide receiver Luther Burden into the fold, but there are still some structural issues on this roster to solve before Mizzou can really pose a threat in the SEC East.

7. South Carolina

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When: Nov. 19

Where: Columbia

What to expect: We'll know by mid-November exactly what the Gamecocks are capable of. Which, looking at its transfer haul this offseason, could be more than we thought. Oklahoma transfer quarterback Spencer Rattler is poised to give this offense a very credible jolt, and he'll be joined by fellow former Sooner tight end Austin Stogner. Rattler is a legitimate threat moving the ball downfield, but the Vols might be able to throw him off schedule against a USC line that isn't exactly great.

6. Florida

When: Sept. 24

Where: Knoxville

What to expect: Apart from the 2016 game at Neyland, this rivalry has belonged to Florida, which has won 16 of the last 17, being ranked in all but three of those games, while Tennessee was ranked just seven times in that span and hasn't been since 2017. This year could change that dynamic, as the Gators embark on a new chapter under coach Billy Napier, who comes in needing to do surgery at almost every position, including quarterback. Florida may get better as the season wears on, but the Vols have a chance to jump on their rivals early in the year.

5. Kentucky

When: Oct. 29

Where: Knoxville

What to expect: UK was a 10-win team a year ago with statement wins over LSU and Florida, but took a L against the Vols in a 45-42 shootout, one notable victory amid three losses to ranked SEC teams. This time around, Kentucky won't have Wan'Dale Robinson at receiver, three O-line starters, or six pieces on defense, but it does get quarterback Will Levis, a 2,800-yard passer with 24 touchdowns last fall, in addition to 1,100 yard rusher Chris Rodriguez.

4. LSU

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When: Oct. 8

Where: Baton Rouge

What to expect: Brian Kelly brought on a decent haul from the transfer portal and performed well enough on his first recruiting effort, but this roster needs an overhaul. Especially in the secondary and on the offensive line, which just lost four starters, not to mention at quarterback. Playing at Death Valley is always tough, but Kelly is a proven winner, even if he has notably struggled against Southern teams and on the national stage while at Notre Dame.

3. Pittsburgh

When: Sept. 10

Where: Pittsburgh

What to expect: UT takes it on the road in Week 2 against the defending ACC champions, but this time the Panthers will be without Heisman finalist Kenny Pickett at quarterback. Or Mark Whipple calling plays on offense. That's good news for the Vols, but Pitt did pick up USC transfer quarterback Kedon Slovis, and he'll have Jordan Addison — who led college football with 17 rec TDs in 2021 — on the receiving end.

2. Georgia

When: Nov. 5

Where: Athens

What to expect: Georgia has taken the last five from UT in this series and was ranked in the Top 10 each time. Now, the Bulldogs are defending College Football Playoff national champions and have the recruiting muscle to easily replace the defensive pieces they lost to the NFL Draft. Stetson Bennett is back, too, armed with the likes of Brock Bowers and Arik Gilbert at receiver. Georgia has a talent edge just about everywhere, can generate pressure at the line like few teams can, and boasts perimeter speed that's hard to stop.

1. Alabama

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When: Oct. 15

Where: Knoxville

What to expect: More of the same, unfortunately. Nothing has stopped Alabama this century, and Tennessee still isn't equipped to out-muscle the likes of what the Tide is throwing at them, not in short yard situations on the ground, not on the outside, and not going deep, with Bryce Young driving this offense again as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. UT's season can get out of hand during this midseason stretch if it's not careful, with the SEC's best teams on the docket over this span.

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