1 Nov 1997: Cedrick Wilson #14 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the football during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Volunteers defeated the Gamecocks 22-7. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport
In November of 1997, the Tennessee football Volunteers finally played in meaningful games.
There’s nothing like playing in games with championship implications in November. Tennessee football somewhat did that in 2016, but they haven’t done it in a serious way since 2007, the last time they won the SEC East.
During the Peyton Manning years, the Vols were often eliminated from such games in November.