Vols' game against UTEP will finally break from continuing norm for Tennessee players

The game will not be broadcast on any major cable networks, instead being available only for those fans who have either ESPN+ or the SEC Network+ channel on their cable package. 

Those fans who prefer night games after a day of tailgating likely won't be pleased with the early start.  However, some of the players will be.  Dont'e Thornton, Jr. mentioned earlier this season how difficult the wait can be on gamedays, preferring earlier kickoffs.  He talked about how the energy can die down for players later in the day, although that's something both teams have to deal with. 

The Vols have played an incredible number of night games this season.  Of 9 games, 7 of them have kicked off at 7:00 pm ET or later.  The only exceptions from that are the opener against Chattanooga that started at 12:45 pm ET and 3:30 pm ET for Alabama. 

We should see next week where the Vanderbilt game will be slotted, but that will depend in part upon how Tennessee-Georgia goes next weekend, which is also a night kick at 7:30 pm ET. 

Day or night, the Vols will have to take care of business over their next three contests to guarantee their inclusion into the first-ever 12-team playoff.