I don't disagree with the OP, gotta find a way to win those 3 if you want to compete at the top. However keep in mind Tennessee got 3 wins that are not gimme in 2022. SC got better as the season progressed, Mizzou has shown potential under drink. And as much as this hurts, reality is UK has better players that UT right now. Heupel could lose 2/3 of those next year. However he could beat Pitt and Florida.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say I think UT wins bama or uga this year. They have more talent but UT has a precision offense. With 1 more season experience with heup, I could see Tennessee coming out on top of a 42-38 type game.