Tennessee Football: Games That Could Ruin Volunteers' 2015 Season

Everybody knows that when you play in the SEC, the schedule is riddled with land mines that could blow up a season, and Tennessee's 2015 football schedule is no different.

Despite getting to stay in the state of Tennessee for eight of their 12 games, the Volunteers still have a tough task ahead if they're going to live up to the expectations set when they were chosen second in the SEC East at media days.

UT should be able to compete with every single team on its schedule. That includes an Alabama team that has plenty of question marks despite still being the most talented team in the league.

Also, though a game such as the very winnable early-season showdown against Oklahoma in Neyland Stadium is big for national exposure, a loss wouldn't be season-crippling.

And while losing to Vanderbilt would crush anybody's season, that's unlikely to happen, so it doesn't get consideration.

UT is still an extremely young team. How inexperienced? How about this staggering number thrown out by Vols coach Butch Jones at SEC media days, as reported by Brett McMurphy of ESPN.com:

There are some battle-tested players in key positions, but that much youth could spell struggles if some unforeseen misfortune manifests itself in the form of marks in the loss column.

So, what are the games that could really derail a turnaround campaign for Jones' Vols? Let's take a look at five games that have the ramifications to send UT into a downward spiral if the Vols were to lose.

Florida (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Sept. 26)

In the decade of futility Tennessee has experienced, one of the many frustrating constants is a loss against Florida.

The three most recent games have been the most maddening.

It didn't matter that Jeff Driskel couldn't do anything against anybody else; he had a career day in 2012. Even when Tyler Murphy was turning the ball over left and right, Nathan Peterman was worse in '13. Then, with a 9-0 lead in the fourth quarter last season, the Vols choked it away yet again.

That last nail in the coffin was one Jones told GoVols247's Ryan Callahan was the "lowest moment" of his coaching career.

Now, this year, even though it's on the road, the Vols are sure to be favored in what is shaping up to be the biggest game of the season.

Florida, which has a new coach in Jim McElwain, has major question marks at quarterback and along the offensive front and needs to find a pass rush. As has been the case the past few years, this is UT's best chance in memory to end the streak.

Though McElwain doesn't talk much about streaks, the 10-year reign isn't lost on him. Patrick Brown of the Chattanooga Times Free Press tweeted:

If there's truly no mystique attached to the Gators the way UT says, a Vols win should happen.

The fans expect it, and most of them demand it. Regardless of what else happens the rest of the season, shedding the Gators albatross would signify an end to UT's decade of misery. If they lose, it's a letdown the Vols will have to overcome with much of the season ahead.

Arkansas (Neyland Stadium, Oct. 3)

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There will be other tests of will for UT during the season and even a couple before this one in Oklahoma and Florida, but no team will push around the Vols quite like coach Bret Bielema's Razorbacks early in the season.

Jones and Bielema have a ton of respect for each other, and the Hogs will come into Neyland trying to grind out a good, old-fashioned slobber-knocker. They'll run and run and run some more. Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette tweeted:

With UT having major question marks at middle linebacker and youth at defensive tackle, they'll realize the answers to those in a hurry.

Also, Curt Maggitt will have to play outside linebacker more than he will have for much of the early season as UT must go to its traditional 4-3 set to combat Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams.

Not only do the Vols need to get out of this one with a win in a battle of the preseason hype-hoarders, they also need to exit the showdown healthy. 

Divisional foe Georgia looms the next week, so UT can't afford to emerge from the game against the Hogs at anything but full strength. If the Vols can win this one, it'll be a major confidence booster.

If they lose, it'll probably be because some glaring weaknesses were exposed.

Georgia (Neyland Stadium, Oct. 10)

The only team picked ahead of the Vols in the SEC East is Georgia, a team that has owned UT in recent years despite the past four games being decided by a score or less.

This year, the Dawgs return to Neyland Stadium and the site of Pig Howard's gut-wrenching overtime fumble through the end zone for a touchback in 2013 that cost the Vols a win.

If Tennessee takes care of business against Florida for the first time in a decade, this game will have massive divisional ramifications.

On the bright side, UT will have just faced Arkansas' two-headed rushing monster, so the Vols will be able to employ much of the same game plan against Georgia. The bad news is Nick Chubb and company could pound a tired defense into submission.

Losing this game won't be devastating considering UT likely won't be picked to win. But that doesn't diminish the importance. If the Vols beat Florida, they'll be riding a high thinking they've got an opportunity to win the SEC East.

Then if they lose, it'll be a letdown with the heart of the conference schedule in front of them. Tennessee-Georgia is always big, but the Vols need to turn their recent close losses into a major win that would be a program definer for Jones.

Kentucky (Commonwealth Stadium, Oct. 31)

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When one team has beaten another 29 out of the past 30 meetings, you tend to overlook them.

The Vols had better not do that against Kentucky. Not this year.

It's a potential trap game on Halloween, coming a week after what is sure to be an emotional rivalry game at Bryant-Denny Stadium against Alabama. It also comes before the Vols will be looking forward to traveling home to play South Carolina.

Coming off a grueling stretch of Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, Alabama, it's highly possible the Vols could ease off the gas a little against the Wildcats. But UK quarterback Patrick Towles (or Drew Barker), running back Boom Williams and company will be able to put up points on offense.

If Mark Stoops' defense is deep enough to sustain throughout the season unlike a season ago, UK could be good enough to be bowl-bound.

Tennessee has a history of playing tough and not overlooking anybody with Jones at the helm. That will need to continue. If it doesn't, a loss to UK would be a massive dent in the rebuilding process.

Missouri (Faurot Field, Nov. 21)

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There are many massive "ifs" that must transpire in order for the Vols to be playing for an SEC East championship this late in the season, but the game against the Tigers represents much more than that.

Mizzou has made it to Atlanta each of the past two seasons. Though many may not view this as a high-profile win, it certainly would be. The Vols haven't beaten the Tigers since they joined the league three years ago.

It's possible UT will need to win this game to make it to Atlanta. If the Vols already have lost to Florida, Georgia or both, this game will be equally huge for bowl placement and perception points.

This game will be important one way or another. It will be on the road in a hostile environment against a quarterback in Maty Mauk that has made a career out of owning the Vols.

Whether it's for a chance to go to Atlanta or a better bowl than the TaxSlayer and take a program step forward, losing to Mizzou would be a big deal.

All statistics gathered from UTSports.com unless otherwise noted. All recruiting information obtained from 247Sports.

Brad Shepard covers SEC football and is the Tennessee lead writer for Bleacher Report. Follow Brad on Twitter @Brad_Shepard.