9/3 App St. W (1-0) Walk away win. Don't expect much finesse in this game as the offense will be pure vanilla as not to give anything away. But watch the defense have a field day.
9/10 Va Tech @ Bristol W (2-0) Both teams will be pumped up for what will undoubtedly be touted as the premier game of the early season. Both teams have something to prove, UT that it belongs back in the elite ranks, Va Tech that it's "back" under a new coach. But I think UT pulls away in the second half to seal the win with an exclamation point.
9/17 Ohio W (3-0) The OOC cupcakes are always a good time to showcase your talent. But Ohio is a scrappy little team that tends to do okay within the MAC. And coming off a (likely) win at a P5 school (Kansas) the week prior will give them a little more boost than normal. But UT shuts them down offensively and cruises to the third win pushing us closer to Top 10 territory if not into it.
9/24 Florida W (4-0) I won't ever say a Florida game will go the way someone plans. And even with a "young" Florida team, there is still that fact they are Florida and it's never easy. But I think UT has something to prove and the defense ends up pushing the Florida offense to the brink. This game will be decided by less than a touchdown and in the 4th quarter. But UT pulls away late and the defense makes a huge stop this time.
10/1 @Georgia W (5-0) It's not going to be easy going into Sanford to play what should be a resurgent UGA team. And first year coach Kirby Smart has something to prove as well. The loss from 2015 will sting and they will be out for blood. Expect a huge effort from Chubb since his aborted Heisman attempt in 2015. But with a young QB and new offensive scheme, I feel like the offense will be one dimensional. But UT gets good pressure and stops and ends up with the win.
10/8 @TAM W (6-0) With their program currently soaked in gasoline and waiting for a match, I feel Sumlin will be playing not to lose instead of to win. And a Chavis defense is never anything to take lightly. But all in all, I think UT grinds out a good balanced game and comes away with the win.
10/15 Alabama L (6-1) Tough game to call. Home game and likely two undefeated teams. And with the buzz from Game Day (I'd bet pennies to dollars they show for this game) it will be a huge match. But UT has been through a tough schedule for six games. But Alabama also has been through six games without a break as well. Both teams will be fatigued and injured, but Bama pulls away at the end.
10/22 Bye We win this. Period.
10/29 @ USCe W (7-1) Even with recruiting and a new coach, USCe has a couple of years to go before bouncing back into a contender. UT pretty much owns USCe as of late and even with that annoying Sandstorm song playing, UT puts this one away early.
11/5 TN Tech W (8-1) The round robin of in State teams is nice for the smaller programs, but more like a late season scrimmage for the dominate team. UT puts this one away easily in the first half and gives the second and third stringers a chance for some quality game time.
11/12 Kentucky W (9-1) With the SEC East title and a trip to Atlanta within their grasp, the UT defense pounces on the unsuspecting Kentucky offense while the UT offense comes away with a resounding win.
11/19 Missouri W (10-1) With the team in rebuilding mode and after a lackluster recruiting class, Mizzou will be hard pressed to score on what's being termed as a dominate defense. UT's offense will go into overdrive to seal the deal on going to Atlanta from a well balanced air and ground attack.
11/26 @Vanderbilt W (11-1) Even with the game being played in Nashville, expect a sea of orange at this game as the 1-10 Commodores struggle to gain an offensive and defensive identity under their interim head coach. UT doesn't go full speed ahead on this one as their sights are set on Atlanta, but still outscores Vandy by a huge margin over the course of three quarters.
12/3 SECCG @ Atlanta vs Alabama W (12-1) The game that will decide the SEC representative in the Playoffs. Both teams will be ready to fight as this turns into a full on charge to see who can come out on top. UT takes a late lead from Bama and ends up making a critical 4th and long stop deep within Bama territory. After punting, UT manages one more first down attempt and seals the game by being able to take a knee and eat up the clock. Trailer parks all around Bama go up in flames as "FAHR SABAN!" chants are heard Statewide.
That's as far as I'll go.
