It is another busy week in Tennessee athletics.
Multiple teams wrap up their season this week, while some are in the midst of their season. Neyland Stadium will be packed Saturday afternoon as Tennessee football hosts a bitter rival.
Here’s a look at the next week of Tennessee athletics.
Oct. 16: Volleyball vs. Kentucky — “T-Credit” opportunity
The unranked Wildcats will be a difficult but manageable task for Tennessee. Kentucky has compiled a 9-7 record this season, including a 3-2 record in SEC play. Before a big loss at the hands of No. 7 Texas, the Wildcats were ranked No. 13.
Kentucky has historically dominated Tennessee, posting a 53-31 record. The Wildcats beat the Lady Vols in Lexington last season 3-0, but the Lady Vols are 18-19 at home against the Wildcats.
This event will offer two “T-Credits” for students.
Oct. 18: Men’s cross-country at the Crimson Classic
The Vols will close out the regular season at Tuscaloosa as they compete in the Crimson Classic. In their last outing, Tennessee placed second in the Gans Creek Classic.
Christopher Middleton-Pearson placed the highest for Tennessee, finishing with a time of 23:33.8 in the 8K. Hudson Betts and Zach Jaeger placed 22nd and 33rd with times of 23:39.9 and 23:56.4.
This will be a highly competitive meet as the regular season wraps up.
Oct. 18-20: Men’s golf at Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate
Lance Simpson recorded his third straight top-five finish in the Fighting Irish Classic last week. The Vols finished 13 shots over as a team, which was good enough for fifth place of the 15 competing.
The Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate is one of the nation’s top golf events and will be the last time Tennessee is in action until February.
Oct. 18: Soccer at Georgia
Tennessee will look to snap its two-game losing streak against the Bulldogs after dropping their last two matches to No. 6 Arkansas and No. 14 Auburn.
Luckily for the Lady Vols, the Bulldogs are sitting at 6-4-5 this season. Tennessee needs this win for any hope of a successful post-season.
Tennessee has historically fared well against Georgia, winning 19 of their 30 matchups. Georgia has gotten the upper hand as of late though, riding a two-game win streak over the Vols heading into this game.
Oct. 19: Women’s cross-country at Wisconsin Pre-Nationals
The No. 15 ranked Lady Vols will wrap up their regular season a day after the men’s team.
After finishing second in the Gans Creek Classic, the Lady Vols will look for another strong showing. Junior Ashley Jones placed fifth overall last time out, finishing with a time of 20:00.6. Rachel Sutliff and Jillian Candelino placed ninth and 15th, finishing in 20:24.9 and 20:14.9.
The Pre-Nationals is a lead-up to the 2024 NCAA Cross Country National Championships, which will take place Nov. 1.
Oct. 19: Football vs. Alabama
The football team will continue their home stand, hosting Alabama after beating Florida at Neyland Stadium last week. Though they have home field advantage, the No. 11 Vols open as underdogs to the No. 7 Crimson Tide.
Both struggled last week with unranked teams at home but managed to prevail late. Tennessee will need a good showing from Nico Iamaleava and the offense to fend off the Crimson Tide.
This game has serious post-season implications, and the winner is likely guaranteed a spot in the expanded College Football Playoffs.
Although this is a home event, it will not offer a “T-Credit” due to a sold-out student section.
Oct. 20-22: Women’s golf at Mercedes Benz Intercollegiate
The women’s team will wrap up their fall after they compete in the Mercedes Benz Intercollegiate.
In their last showing, the Lady Vols finished fifth place in the Tar Heel Classic. They shot a collective 25-over par, finishing just four strokes over North Carolina for fourth place.
Bailey Davis placed fifth overall, shooting 1-over. Manassanan Chotikabhukkana and Kyra Van Kan tied for 15th place, finishing six strokes over.
The tournament will be hosted at Cherokee Country Club, under 10 minutes away from Tennessee’s main campus.
Oct. 20: Volleyball vs. Auburn — “T-Credit” opportunity
Tennessee will host the No. 25 ranked Auburn Tigers in another crucial SEC matchup. Auburn is 14-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play. They’ve won eight of their last nine matchups, so it won’t be smooth sailing for Tennessee.
Tennessee leads the series over Auburn, posting a 37-21 record all-time. The Lady Vols won the teams’ last meeting, but the Tigers but have won the seven previous.
This match will offer one “T-Credit” for students.
Oct. 20: Softball at Kentucky
The Lady Vols will travel to Lexington for their only away matchup this fall.
Tennessee has had a strong showing this fall season, winning every game and beating Kentucky 6-4 earlier in the fall.
This will be their last game of the fall, but if the spring resembles the way they’ve played this fall, the Lady Vols are going to be elite.
