Honestly, if you looked at the tn football schedule 2024 back in August, you probably thought you knew exactly how it would go. We all did. A young, five-star quarterback taking the reins, a defense that suddenly decided it wanted to be elite, and the usual gauntlet of the SEC.
But football is weird. It rarely follows the script we write for it in the preseason.
People see the 10-3 record and think, "Yeah, typical Josh Heupel, lots of points and a few tough losses." That’s only half the story. The 2024 season wasn't just another year in Knoxville; it was the year the Vols finally stopped being a one-dimensional track meet and started winning with grit.
The Chaos of September and October
The season started like a house on fire. Tennessee essentially treated their early non-conference opponents like scrimmage partners. They hung 69 on Chattanooga and 71 on Kent State. It was almost boring. Then came the NC State game in Charlotte—a 51-10 blowout that made everyone in the country realize this defense wasn't just "improved," it was a problem for everyone else.
But the real test started on September 21.
Tennessee at Oklahoma.
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This was the "Welcome to the SEC" moment for the Sooners, and the Vols spoiled the party with a 25-15 win. It wasn't the offensive explosion we expected. Instead, it was a suffocating defensive performance that announced Nico Iamaleava had the poise to win on the road.
Then, the Arkansas game happened.
I’m still not entirely sure how they lost that one 19-14 in Fayetteville. It was one of those "trap" games where the offense just couldn't find a rhythm. It felt like the season might slide, especially with Florida and Alabama coming to town next.
Survival and the Smoke
If you didn't watch the Florida game, you missed a classic heart-attack-inducing rivalry match. It took overtime, but Tennessee gutted out a 23-17 win. That set the stage for the Third Saturday in October.
Neyland was shaking.
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Beating Alabama 24-17 was the turning point. It wasn't the high-flying 52-49 shootout from a few years ago. It was a physical, nasty game where the Vols' defensive line, led by James Pearce Jr., lived in the Crimson Tide backfield.
The Running Back Who Broke Everything
While everyone was staring at Nico, Dylan Sampson was busy rewriting the record books. You've gotta appreciate a guy who just refuses to go down. He didn't just play well; he set the single-season school record for rushing yards (1,485) and touchdowns (22).
Basically, when the passing game hit a lull—which it did at times—Sampson was the engine. He carried the ball 256 times this season. That’s a lot of hits. But he was the reason Tennessee stayed in the College Football Playoff hunt through November.
The November Stretch
- Kentucky: A solid 28-18 win.
- Mississippi State: 33-14, another day at the office.
- Georgia: The 31-17 loss in Athens was a reality check. Georgia is still Georgia.
- UTEP: A 56-0 palate cleanser.
- Vanderbilt: The 36-23 win to close the regular season and secure that 10th win.
The Playoff Heartbreak
Tennessee made it. They actually made the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. Being the No. 9 seed meant a trip to Columbus to face Ohio State.
Look, a 42-17 loss is never fun. The Buckeyes were just on another level that night, and the "Horseshoe" is a brutal place to play in December. But for Vols fans, getting there was proof that the program has officially moved past the "rebuilding" phase. They belong at the big table now.
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What About the Titans?
You can't talk about a tn football schedule 2024 without acknowledging the rough ride over in Nashville. If the Vols were a Ferrari, the Titans were a truck with three flat tires and no transmission.
A 3-14 record is hard to swallow. Brian Callahan’s first year as head coach was essentially a "burn it down and start over" campaign. They finished 4th in the AFC South and secured the No. 1 overall pick for 2025.
Titans 2024 Key Moments:
- The Quarterback Carousel: Will Levis struggled with injuries and turnovers, leading to Mason Rudolph taking over for stretches.
- The Defensive Collapse: They gave up over 27 points per game. You can't win in the NFL like that.
- The Silver Lining: Calvin Ridley still managed to break 1,000 yards receiving despite the chaos.
Why 2024 Actually Matters
Most people look at the final scores and move on. But if you really dig into the 2024 season, you see a shift in identity for Tennessee football.
The Vols are no longer just a "finesse" team. They allowed 30 sacks, which is a major red flag that needs to be fixed, but their own defensive front became one of the most feared in the country. They stopped being the team that only wins if they score 50.
Actionable Insights for the 2025 Season
If you're already looking ahead (and let's be real, we all are), here’s what you need to keep an eye on to see if 2024 was a fluke or a foundation:
- Watch the Offensive Line: The addition of David Sanders Jr. is massive. If they can't protect Nico, the deep ball—which struggled in 2024—won't come back.
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: With Dylan Sampson likely eyeing the NFL, the Vols need a home-run threat in the backfield to keep defenses honest.
- Check the 2025 Titans Draft: With the #1 pick, the Titans have a chance to grab a franchise-altering player. Whether it's a QB or a generational tackle, that pick determines the next five years in Nashville.
- Season Ticket Alerts: Neyland sold out 70,500 season tickets in 2024. If you want in for 2025, you basically need to start looking at the donation tiers now.
The 2024 schedule proved that Tennessee is a top-10 program again. The Titans' schedule proved that the NFL is an unforgiving place for a team in transition. Either way, football in Tennessee is anything but boring.