College football's unique in that a single loss could mean the difference between a conference championship (or the ultimate regular-season goal, a College Football Playoff spot) and becoming an also-ran in the FBS ranks. The Tennessee Volunteers found that out the hard way last year, as a series of mid-season losses turned themselves from SEC contenders to an average team. This year, they're hoping to avoid that same fate. Here are the Vols' five toughest games heading into this year:
5) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (September 4th)
Tennessee will take on Georgia Tech in the marquee game on Labor Day, and it will be the first college football game played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Though the Vols will likely be favored and fans will travel to make it feel enough like a real neutral site game, GT's triple-option attack will provide a tough test to open the season
4) Georgia Bulldogs (September 30th)
Tennessee' Hail Mary beat Georgia at the buzzer last year, and with two young, talented teams, this game should be another tight one. The winner will also emerge as the biggest challenger to Florida in the SEC East.
3) LSU Tigers (November 18th)
The Vols are lucky that they get this game at home, but that doesn't change the fact that playing LSU will be extremely difficult. Despite their personnel losses, LSU's defense will be one of the best in the country again, and Derrius Guice will make sure their rushing attack doesn't miss a beat without Leonard Fournette.
2) at Florida Gators (September 16th)
If you want to win the SEC East, as the Vols would like to do, they have to beat the two-time defending division champs. All bets are off in this rivalry showdown, but this being their SEC opener - and in the Swamp - will make it one of the toughest games Tennessee will play.
1) at Alabama Crimson Tide (October 21st)
This rivalry has been rather one-sided in recent years, but Tennessee has come so close to breaking through. The Vols will try to pick to pick up their first win over the Tide since 2006 in this one.
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