ESPN predicts how many games the Tennessee Vols will win in 2024

The full 2024 SEC schedule was released earlier this week and it didn't take long for ESPN to offer a prediction for how many games the Tennessee Vols will win next fall. 

ESPN's Bill Connelly used the current SP+ ratings to predict how many games each team will win in 2024 (or how many games each team will be favored in). 

For now, Connelly's SP+ ratings have the Vols favored in nine of their 12 regular season games. 

From ESPN: With Alabama as a permanent rival, the Vols were always guaranteed a top-10 (or close to it) schedule. But while they keep Georgia and Alabama and add Oklahoma, those are the only teams on the schedule that currently rank better than 30th. And Kentucky and NC State are the only others in the top 40. This schedule certainly looks easier.

Connelly also noted that Tennessee is projected to have the 23rd toughest schedule in the nation next season (he had the Vols with the ninth toughest schedule in 2023). 

A lot will change between now and next season as the Vols' roster experiences some changes. But one thing that won't change is that Tennessee's matchups against Alabama, Georgia, and Oklahoma are the three games that will likely determine whether or not the Vols reach the 12-team playoff in its first year of existence.