College football previews are cranking up already at the mothership, where Monday Bill Connelly picked Appalachian State to win the Sun Belt. If that happens it will be the second year in a row the Vols have faced a mid-major conference champion in non-conference play in what will already be the third year in a row the first game feels like a trap game.
Tennessee's aggressive scheduling history will stand against anyone in college football, but that's typically come from just the marquee opponent. That part will continue in Bristol in week two this fall, facing Virginia Tech on the heels of home-and-home series with Oregon and Oklahoma this decade.