Since 2002 the Vols are 48-24 overall up to the LA-Lafayette game.
During that time the combined record of the opponents we've beaten is 253-300. This means the average yearly record of the opponents we've beaten is 5-6.
The combined record of the opponents we've lost to is 220-73. This means the average yearly record of the opponents we've lost to is 9-3.
These two sets of numbers indicate that we beat the poor and mediocre teams while being trounced by the better teams. I remember a time when we were one of the better teams doing the trouncing.
Our record vs. Non-Conference opponents is 19-7 during this span, counting bowl games. Those opponents have a combined record of 157-147. Because win and loss numbers can be skewed by one upset either way, I also looked at the number of non-conference teams we've played each year with a winning and losing record overall. Counting bowl games, 12 of our 26 non-conference opponents have posted winning seasons at the end of the year while 14 did not. Remove the bowl games and the number of teams that we played out of conference that posted winning records dropped to nine of twenty-six. We have built a house of cards on the backs of mediocre teams.
Breaking down the non-conference opponents by conference, 3 from the Mountain West, 3 from the Sunbelt, 3 from the Big East, 3 from the ACC, 2 from the WAC, 6 from Conference USA, 2 Independent, 1 Big Twelve, 2 Pac-10, and 1 Big Ten. Of those, 4 were bowl games represented by the ACC in two, the Big 12 in one, and the Big 10 in one. Not counting bowls 19 of the 26 opponents have come from non-major conferences.
Against those who finished in the Final Top 25 at the end of the season, Tennessee is 6-18 during this span.
Against those who were in the Top 25 at the time we played them, we are 8-16 during this span.
Our record versus bowl teams during this span is 14-19.
We've been upset by a lower ranked or unranked team 10 times during this span when we've been ranked. Six of those losses came when we were ranked and our opponent was unranked.
On the flip side, we've upset a higher ranked team 7 times.
Our record versus Top Ten teams is 3-11.
Our record against BCS Bowl teams is 4-13.
This season alone we're 2-2 against ranked teams, with two of those losses being blow-outs. We nearly gave away the South Carolina game with one of the coaching staff's infamous "3 runs and a punt offense and give them anything they want in front of you but don't let them get behind you defense". And we were blown out against 'Bama.
