Five for '15
* Tennessee's most important games of upcoming season* Possible second-year surgers for Tennessee Vols* Tennessee's non-freshman impact newcomers * Tennessee Vols' impact freshmen * UT Vols' most intriguing camp competitions * Tennessee's most valuable players
KNOXVILLE -- With the Tennessee Volunteers nearing the start of preseason football practice on Tuesday, the Times Free Press is setting the stage for a much-anticipated 2015 with its "Five for '15" preview series, which continues today with a look at the five most important games of the season.
1. OKLAHOMA (Sept. 12 in Knoxville)
Win or lose against the Sooners in the second game of the season, Tennessee's aspirations of winning the Southeastern Conference's East Division will remain intact. After all, 10 games and the entire conference slate follow the rematch of the Sooners' 34-10 win in Norman, Okla., last season. Remember when Missouri lost to Indiana and still won the East last year?
Yet the importance of this early game in setting a tone is obvious. It has the feel of a springboard game, one that could give Tennessee a boost of confidence heading into the key stretch of its schedule. Tennessee hopes to take a big step forward as a program in 2015, and this is the kind of game the Vols have to win to make that a reality.
Most of Oklahoma's experienced offensive line is gone, but offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley, one of seven new assistant coaches, still has running back Samaje Perine and receiver Sterling Shepard at his disposal. Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield should win the starting quarterback job. Star linebacker Eric Striker headlines the returning core of Oklahoma's defense.
If the Vols can deliver on a national stage - this game will be there assuming both win their openers - it very well could lead to bigger things.
2. FLORIDA (Sept. 26 in Gainesville)
Tennessee fans are sick and tired of losing to Florida.
And that was before the Gators managed to extend their streak against the Vols to 10 games amid their program's worst two-year run in nearly 30 years.
The decision to start Nathan Peterman in the Swamp in 2013 backfired in a 14-point loss. The Vols botched a very winnable game in a 10-9 loss in Knoxville that was last season's low point. Florida won both times with backup quarterbacks.
Florida has a first-year coach in Jim McElwain, major concerns of inexperience on its offensive line and no clear-cut answer at quarterback, but the Gators should be stingy defensively, particularly in the secondary, and they'll host the Vols this year.
The Gators are there for Tennessee's taking again. Snapping decade-long streaks to one opponent is never easy, but this is a game Tennessee simply must win.
3. GEORGIA (Oct. 10 in Knoxville)
A 5-0 start heading into SEC East favorite Georgia's visit to Neyland Stadium is the dream scenario for Tennessee, but whether that happens, the Vols' matchup with their biggest competition for the division's top spot is obviously important.
Georgia running back Nick Chubb is the best player in the SEC East, but the Bulldogs have yet to announce their starting quarterback for an offense that has the potential to be very good again after averaging an SEC-best 41.3 points per game in 2014. A defense returning some key pieces will be in its second season under coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.
The last four games in the series have been decided by a combined 21 points. In 2013, the Vols took Georgia to overtime before falling after Pig Howard's memorable fumble, and a couple of second-half fumbles doomed Tennessee in a 35-32 loss in Athens last season.
Is another thriller on tap for Tennessee and Georgia?
4. MISSOURI (Nov. 21 in Columbia)
Until someone else wins the division, the road to the SEC East crown goes through Missouri. The Tigers played for the SEC title the past two seasons after being picked to finish sixth and fourth in the division. Perhaps Mizzou is gaining some respect - it was picked third behind Georgia and Tennessee this year.
The Tigers suffered key losses on the defensive line and at wide receiver, but they return most of one of the league's most experienced offensive lines, last season's top rusher (Russell Hansbrough) and an underrated group of linebackers and defensive backs.
It depends on how things go earlier in the season for the Vols and Tigers, but the last of Tennessee's four road games (Florida, Alabama and Kentucky on Halloween are the others) could have significance in the divisional race.
5. ARKANSAS (Oct. 3 in Knoxville)
The clash between two of the SEC's rising programs falls in a key spot on the schedule for both teams. For Tennessee, the trip to Florida and visit from Georgia sandwich the visit from Bret Bielema's Razorbacks. The Hogs play Texas A&M in a neutral-site contest, visit Knoxville and then go to Alabama.
The Vols' schedule is littered with toss-up games like this one, and the direction of the season will hinge on Tennessee's record in those swing games.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.