Vols football schedule could be a big plus

The closer fans get to a season’s kickoff, the more optimistic they usually become. And despite what some readers think, I’m not one to discourage optimism.

In fact, I’m prepared to fuel it. The more closely you look at Tennessee’s schedule, the better you should feel about the upcoming season.

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Granted, Alabama in Tuscaloosa qualifies as troubling at best. And LSU at home looks like a late-season tossup. But Tennessee probably wouldn’t trade its nonconference schedule for most teams’ in the SEC.

UT’s schedule is also smartly aligned. You can review the program’s recent failures to appreciate that alignment.

You can’t blame the darkest Saturdays of Tennessee’s four consecutive seven-loss seasons (2010-2013) on scheduling. The scheduling didn’t help, though.

In 2010 and 2013, UT was saddled with September nonconference games against Oregon, which was competing for national championships in those days. It played up to its top-10 ranking each time, winning 48-13 and 59-14.

The conference schedule added to the Vols’ woes in those seasons during which its eight SEC West opponents ranked 19th or higher. Three times, one of its West opponents was No. 1. And in 2011, it played No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama on consecutive Saturdays.

Too many times, the difficulty of Tennessee’s schedule was exacerbated by the order.

In 2011, it played three consecutive games against top-25 teams. And three times in five weeks, it played top-10 teams.

In 2012, it played four consecutive games against teams ranked 19th or higher.

The 2013 schedule, Butch Jones’ first as UT’s coach, was the worst. The Vols played five consecutive games against teams ranked 11th or higher. In one eight-game stretch, they played seven teams ranked 19th or higher.

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Only once this season will the Vols have to play consecutive games against FBS teams that had winning records last season: Alabama (14-1), Kentucky (7-6) and Southern Mississippi (7-6). Also, South Carolina, which was 6-7 last season but good enough to upset UT in Columbia, comes the Saturday before Alabama.

At least the Vols’ open date is strategically placed – before those four games and after Georgia.

You also should like how the schedule provides a cushion before the games most likely to determine UT’s status in the SEC East.

Before the Vols take on Florida in The Swamp, they will play FCS opponent Indiana State, which should be the closest thing they will have to a second open date. Between Florida and Georgia, they will play UMass at Neyland Stadium. That’s the next closest to a second open date.

Georgia Tech in the opener is no sure thing. However, if your opponent plays an option-oriented offense, best to have an entire offseason to prepare.

If a UT fan has gotten this far and isn’t more optimistic, he should think back to last season when the Vols had to play nationally ranked Florida, Georgia, Texas A&M and Alabama in succession.

Tennessee might have less proven talent this season. But it also will have a less daunting schedule.

Reach John Adams at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @johnadamskns.