6. Clemson
Tennessee and Clemson have competed on the recruiting trail for the past few years, but it’s been the Tigers that have won a majority of those battles and it’s shown on the field. Clemson won the national title last season and Tennessee clearly isn’t on the same type of trajectory at the moment.
Maybe Tennessee could begin to turn the tide with a matchup on the field and a win against the Tigers.
If the Vols want to face Clemson in the near future, they’ll likely have to either make it to the playoff or make a New Year’s Six bowl because Clemson will be one of the best teams in the country again this year and doesn’t seem poised for a huge drop-off any time soon. The two haven’t met since the 2004 Peach Bowl, but the next time they meet could be for much bigger stakes if it’s sooner rather than later.
