I'd tap the brakes on "this is where it begins". Couple of thoughts come into play here. One, by now it should be apparent to any objective observer that UT simply does not have the overall talent and depth to compete in the SEC. We have a few playmakers, but a few ain't enough...aight?...and the glaring deficiencies in our OL are going to take time to fix.
Two, we might just be catching Auburn at exactly the wrong time. Yes, their playoff hopes are over, as are their SEC championship aspirations. They're down right now, no arguing that. This might be the right time to play Auburn. Or not.
And the UT game presents an opportunity for them to take it out on...UT. The outcome of this game is up to Auburn. Come out flat, and UT has a shot. Come out hot, and this is going to be a long game for UT fans.
If there's going to be a "where it begins" game, UT would be much better served by having that moment arrive on October 27th in Columbia, South Carolina. Win there, and they've got a very winnable home game against Charlotte; home games against UK and Mizzou; and then a road finish at Vandy. So a win in Columbia could propel the Vols to a 5-0 finish, and a very respectable
7-5 record. Even if they go 4-1 down that stretch, they still get to 6-6. Can they? Yes, I think so. Will they? Well, that's why they play the games.
I'd love to see UT beat Auburn. It would be a huge victory for a team that desperately needs that "signature win". But failing that, our best chance to finish strong comes in Columbia on the 27th. Win that one, and there's a chance...a chance, mind you...that the 2018 season was "where it began".
Go Vols.