How will the Tennessee Volunteers fare in 2021 as the Josh Heupel era begins in Knoxville?

ESPN’s Football Power Index has released its game-by-game predictions for the upcoming season as the Vols look to take a first step toward returning to the SEC’s elite. The FPI says it will be a .500 season on Rocky Top, as Tennessee is projected to go 6-6.

The Volunteers start the season with 3 straight home games: Bowling Green, Pittsburgh, and FCS Tennessee Tech. SEC play begins with a trip to the Swamp to face Florida, with the Gators projected as having an almost 84 percent chance of winning. Tennessee is also set to take on Alabama this year in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 23, with the Tide a heavy favorite in that one at 95.6 percent.

Here are the game-by-game predictions for the Vols according to ESPN’s FPI:

  • Sept. 2 vs. Bowling Green: 77.6 percent chance of winning
  • Sept. 11 vs. Pitt: 51.9 percent chance of winning
  • Sept. 18 vs. Tennessee Tech: 99.3 percent chance of winning
  • Sept. 25 at Florida: 16.2 percent chance of winning
  • Oct. 2 at Missouri: 40.9 percent chance of winning
  • Oct. 9 vs. South Carolina: 68.8 percent chance of winning
  • Oct. 16 vs. Ole Miss: 41.8 percent chance of winning
  • Oct. 23 at Alabama: 4.4 percent chance of winning
  • Nov. 6 at Kentucky: 41.4 percent chance of winning
  • Nov. 13 vs. Georgia: 18.2 percent chance of winning
  • Nov. 20 vs. South Alabama: 93.1 percent chance of winning
  • Nov. 27 vs. Vanderbilt: 87.4 percent chance of winning