Tennessee Volunteers Look to 7-5 Season in '09

The Vols' 2009 Schedule

Western Kentucky

Head Coach: David Elson
2008 Record: 2-10
Series: First Meeting
My Pick: Nice way to kick off the Kiffin regime, Vols start 1-0.

UCLA

Head Coach: Rick Neuheisel
2008 Record: 4-8
Series: UT leads 7-5-2
Last Meeting: L, 24-27 at UCLA on Sept. 1, 2008
My Pick: Two subpar teams play each other tough, but Tennessee starts the season 2-0 with a close win.

Florida

Head Coach: Urban Meyer
2008 Record: 13-1
Series: Tied 19-19-0
Last Meeting: L, 6-30 in Knoxville on Sept. 20, 2008
My Pick: No chance; Vols lose and are now 2-1.

Ohio

Head Coach: Frank Solich
2008 Record:4-8
Series: First Meeting
My Pick: Another soft opponent, Vols now 3-1.

Auburn

Head Coach: Gene Chizik
2008 Record: 5-7
UT Series: Auburn leads 26-21-3
Last Meeting: L, 12-14 at Auburn on Sept. 27, 2008
My Pick: A home game, and a slight upset Tennessee, somehow, gets a win to go 4-1.

Georgia

Head Coach: Mark Richt
2008 Record: 10-3
Series: UT leads 20-16-2
Last Meeting: L, 14-26 at Georgia on Oct. 11, 2008
My Pick: Almost a 5-1 start, but Tennessee wears out late and is now 4-2 on the season, with two SEC losses.

Alabama

Head Coach: Nick Saban
2008 Record: 12-2
Series: Alabama leads 46-38-7
Last Meeting: L, 9-29 in Knoxville on Oct. 25, 2008
My Pick: 'Bama has better talent and depth, tough loss. Vols are now 4-3.

South Carolina

Head Coach: Steve Spurrier
2008 Record: 7-6
Series: UT leads 21-4-2
Last Meeting: L, 6-27 at South Carolina on Nov. 1, 2008
My Pick: It's one of those games that some feel Tennessee could win, but I see a Gamecock victory. Vols are even at 4-4.

Memphis

Head Coach: Tommy West
2008 Record: 6-7
 Series: UT leads 20-1-0
Last Meeting: W, 41-7 at Memphis on Sept.30, 2006
My Pick: Tennessee is able to beat former Vol Tommy West and the Tigers, now 5-4.

Mississippi

Head Coach: Houston Nutt
2008 Record: 9-4
Series: UT leads 43-18-1
Last Meeting: W, 27-10 in Knoxville on Oct.1, 2005
My Pick: I think the Vols will match up well with the Rebels, but not well enough to win. Tennessee is even again, 5-5.

Vanderbilt

Head Coach: Bobby Johnson
2008 Record: 7-6
Series: UT leads 70-27-5
Last Meeting: W, 20-10 at Vanderbilt on Nov. 22, 2008
My Pick: Even in a bad year, Tennessee wins. Vols are now 6-5.

Kentucky

Head Coach: Rich Brooks
2008 Record: 8-6
Series: UT leads 72-23-9
Last Meeting: W, 28-10 in Knoxville on Nov. 29, 2008
My Pick: Kentucky defense is not as good as advertised. Vols finish the regular season at 7-5.