After a horrible 2012, Volunteers hope to turn the corner in 2013 and 2014.
The Tennesse Volunteers went 5-7 in 2012, winning just one game in SEC play, their lone win coming against SEC East bottom dweller Kentucky who finished with just 2 wins, one against Kent State from the MAC and the other against Samford State, an FCS opponent. Their 2012 season matched their 2011 outing, where they also went 5-7 (1-7). You have to go all the way back to 2009 to see a winning Tennessee season, and that was just a 7-6 outing. The last time the Volunteers actually had a winning SEC campaign? 2007, when they went 10-4 (6-2) and won the Outback bowl.
Tennesee's 5 wins came over opponents that combined for a total of 16 wins, 7 of them coming from the same team (NC State).
Tennessee changes schedule leading into 2013/2014 Play
Tennessee was supposed to open 2013 play with Austin Peay, but one of the deals to get Partridge to come to UT was no FCS opponents. Tennesee instead will host Nevada from the MWC.
Since South Alabama was unable to join FBS football yet due to some unforseen hiccups, Tennesee will play North Texas in 2013 instead.
The games with Oregon and Western Kentucky are still on tap, and the conference schedule is unaffected.
For 2014 Tennessee is still playing Oklahoma, and has also picked up Northern Illinois. Arkansas was supposed to play NIU, but Tennesee was asked to take the game so Arkansas could play Texas. Heaven forbid that any SEC team plays two solid out of conference opponents in the same season.
For 2015, Tennessee will host Oklahoma. They also added a series (2015 and 2018) with Michigan. And in a spot that most feel is entirely a power play to show commitment to how much they believe they will be improved by 2015, UT also added an away game at Notre Dame!