Best case: 8-4, 4-4 — Considering Tennessee's preseason Vegas win total sits at seven, expecting the Vols to go two games above that number is a lot to ask, so we'll keep it at eight. The program is still in transition under Jeremy Pruitt, but should be much improved in 2019. Alabama and Georgia are two teams on the slate better at most positions and most likely losses, but there's a handful of swing games that could push the Vols toward their most regular-season wins (eight) since 2016. Beating South Carolina, Kentucky and Vanderbilt are essential to hit the over.
Worst case: 5-7, 2-6 — The Vols' non-conference schedule is relatively light, but the season could turn ugly should Tennessee lose at home to BYU in Week 2. The SEC opener at Florida comes two weeks later, which means Pruitt's squad could be starting at a 2-2 start the first month of the season with Georgia, Mississippi State and Alabama coming after the open date on Sept. 28. That's a no-win situation for a group in need of an early confidence boost.