Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll.
Tennessee will next play Oklahoma on Saturday. First pitch between the Vols and Sooners is slated for 8 p.m. EST.
AJ Russell started for Tennessee against Texas Tech and pitched 4.1 innings, recording 10 strikeouts and allowing two earned runs, three hits and one walk.
He faced 16 batters and totaled 73 pitches (53 strikes).
Russell met with media after Tennessee’s opening day win. His media availability can be watched below.