Tag: Football

Latest bowl projection for Tennessee football in Week 13

Updated bowl projection for Tennessee football in Week 13.

Two weeks remain in the regular-season ahead of conference championship games in Week 15.

Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 SEC) will host UTEP (2-8, 2-5 C-USA) on Saturday in its final regular-season home game at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff between the Vols and Miners is slated for 1 p.m. EST and can be watched on SEC Network+. Lowell Galindo (play-by-play), Foz Whitaker (analyst) and Marilyn Payne (sideline reporter) will be on the call.

Saturday’s Week 13 contest will also mark senior day for the Vols.

“Everyone keeps asking me if I’m excited or ready for it, and I don’t really know how to feel about it,” Tennessee senior tight end Miles Kitselman said of Saturday’s game. “I’m definitely sad. I don’t think the emotions have quite hit me yet. I wish I had a lot more time here in Knoxville, it’s a great place. I think I have enjoyed my time here a lot. I’m just really excited to go out there and play in Neyland. Hopefully not for the last time, but I’m just really excited.”

Ahead of the Tennessee-UTEP game, updated college football bowl projections were released. USA TODAY projects the Vols to play Illinois in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31.

PHOTOS: Nico Iamaleava wins first career start in Citrus Bowl

Nico Iamaleava. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Steelers vs Browns injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 12

All the latest updates on the Pittsburgh Steelers’s injury report, including T.J. Watt, ahead of Week 12 game vs the Cleveland Browns.

The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ (8-2) second divisional matchup of the season is the highly-anticipated brawl with the Cleveland Browns (2-8).

The Steelers are riding a five-game win streak (NFL second-best to Bills) and will fight tooth-and-nail to extend it by another at Huntington Bank Field on Thursday.

Here’s a look at the final injury and practice participation report of Browns week:

Steelers injury report

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Game status
RB Najee Harris NIR FP FP
CB Cory Trice Jr.** hamstring FP FP out
LB Alex Highsmith ankle DNP DNP out
OL Isaac Seumalo NIR DNP DNP
TE MyCole Pruitt NIR/knee FP FP
LB T.J. Watt NIR FP FP
DT Cameron Heyward NIR DNP DNP
DT Larry Ogunjobi NIR DNP DNP

** in the designated 21-day window to return from injured reserve

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related – resting

Browns injury report

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Game status
G Joel Bitonio pectoral LP FP
LB Jordan Hicks elbow, triceps FP FP
DT Maurice Hurst shoulder FP FP
WR Jerry Jeudy knee FP FP
WR Elijah Moore shoulder LP FP
DE Myles Garrett hip DNP LP
TE David Njoku knee LP FP
CB Greg Newsome shoulder LP FP
QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson finger FP FP
TE Geoff Swaim concussion DNP DNP out
CB Denzel Ward ribs, ankle LP FP
T Jedrick Wills knee DNP LP out

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related – resting

T.J. Watt injury update

No injury exists to update for T.J. Watt, thankfully — he was among the players who earned a rest day on Tuesday but was back at practice on Wednesday. The heart always stops for a split second when names like Watt and Cameron Heyward show up.

Alex Highsmith injury update

While there was a glimmer of hope that Alex Highsmith (ankle) might be ready for the Thursday Night Football contest, he’s been ruled out. Highsmith sustained the injury in the Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders.

Cory Trice injury update

Cory Trice’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve started Nov. 15. He remains on injured reserve and must be activated to the active roster within the next two weeks or be sidelined for the season — but it won’t happen this week, as he’s been ruled out for tomorrow night’s contest. Trice hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury in the Week 3 L.A. Chargers contest.

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College Football Playoff bracket outlook for Tennessee football: Where the Vols rank

Tennessee’s latest College Football Playoff ranking and bracket projection announced ahead of Week 13.

The third College Football Playoff top 25 rankings and a 12-team bracket projection were released on Tuesday.

Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 SEC) is ranked No. 11 after suffering its second loss of the season in Week 12 at Georgia.

The Vols are also ranked No. 11 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and No. 10 in the AP Poll after Week 12.

Tennessee will host UTEP on Saturday in Week 13. The nonconference matchup is the final home game for Tennessee in the regular-season at Neyland Stadium.

Below is information regarding the latest College Football Playoff top 25 rankings and bracket projection after Week 12 during the 2024 regular-season.

College Football Playoff bracket: Who’s in, who’s out

Below are the top 12 teams entering Week 12.

  1. Oregon
  2. Ohio State
  3. Texas
  4. Penn State
  5. Indiana
  6. Notre Dame
  7. Alabama
  8. Miami
  9. Ole Miss
  10. Georgia
  11. Tennessee
  12. Boise State

The entire College Football Playoff top 25 rankings can be viewed here.

Tennessee’s projected CFP opponent

Tennessee is ranked No. 11 in the College Football Playoff top 25 rankings and the first team out of the 12-team bracket.

How many teams in College Football Playoff 2024?

For the first time, there will be 12 teams participating in the College Football Playoff. There are five automatic bids for each of the Power Four conference champions and one to the highest-ranked Group of Five champion. The remaining seven slots are given to seven at-large teams.

When next College Football Playoff rankings come out

  • Tuesday, Nov. 19: 7 p.m. EST
  • Tuesday, Nov. 26: 8 p.m. EST
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3: 7 p.m. EST
  • Sunday, Dec. 8: Noon EST

AFC North playoff picture coming into focus for Steelers

The NFL playoff picture is heating up as we head into Week 12, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are making a strong case as legit contenders.

The NFL playoff picture for 2024 is heating up as we head into Week 12, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are making a strong case as legitimate contenders.

Currently sitting as the No. 3 seed in the AFC, the Steelers have surprised many with their consistent performances. If the playoffs started today, Pittsburgh would face off against their bitter rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, the No. 6 seed, in what promises to be an electrifying Wild Card matchup.

Led by head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers have leaned on their gritty defense and clutch play in key moments. Defenders like T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Donte Jackson and Beanie Bishop have been instrumental in creating turnovers and shutting down opposing offenses. Quarterback Russell Wilson continues to show growth as the leader of the offense and Chris Boswell is, well, Chris Boswell

Baltimore boasts a dynamic attack powered by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, but the Steelers handled in Week 11.

As the playoff race intensifies, the Steelers must maintain their edge to fend off AFC challengers to remain a top seed. For fans in Pittsburgh, hopes are high that this year’s squad can bring playoff magic back to the Steel City.

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A look back at Tennessee’s victory against UTEP in 2018

A look back at Tennessee football’s win versus UTEP in 2018.

No. 11 Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 SEC) will host UTEP (2-8, 2-5 C-USA) Saturday in Week 13 of the 2024 college football season.

Kickoff between the Vols and the Miners is slated for 1 p.m. EST at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee’s final home game of the season can be watched on SEC Network+.

Each week, Vols Wire looks back at a memorable game between Tennessee and its upcoming opponent. Vols Wire revisits Tennessee’s,’ 24-0, victory against UTEP on Sept. 15, 2018.

Tennessee led, 10-0, at halftime.

The Vols scored on a 38-yard field goal by Brent Cimaglia with 2 minutes, 39 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Tennessee led, 10-0, after Tim Jordan rushed for a three-yard touchdown in the second quarter. During the third quarter, Ty Chandler rushed for an 81-yard touchdown.

Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings with 11:14 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Guarantano completed 12-of-16 passing attempts for 168 yards and one touchdown.

Chandler led Tennessee with 158 rushing yards on 12 attempts.

Joshua Palmer led Tennessee in receiving. He recorded two receptions for 64 yards, while Jennings finished with 22 receiving yards, one touchdown and three receptions.

Steelers can tie stunning NFL record with win vs Cleveland Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers can clinch their 21st consecutive non-losing season on TNF, tying with the Dallas Cowboys for the NFL record.

The 8-2 Steelers are on track for yet another winning season under head coach Mike Tomlin, who has never experienced a losing season. On Thursday night, they can secure 21 consecutive seasons without a losing record.

If successful, the Steelers would tie the NFL record for 21 straight seasons at .500 or better, a mark currently held by the Cowboys, who maintained that consistency from 1965 to 1985.

Pittsburgh’s last losing season was in 2003 (6-10) under Bill Cowher. The Steelers haven’t finished worse than 8-8 since. The Patriots hold the next-longest streak of non-losing seasons at 19, running from 2001 to 2019.

Since 1972, the Steelers have assembled their legendary dynasty and the franchise has enjoyed remarkable success. They’re on track for their 41st winning season in that span, with only seven losing seasons and five .500 finishes during the same period.

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Steelers vs Browns injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 12

All the latest updates on the Pittsburgh Steelers’s injury report, including T.J. Watt, ahead of Week 12 game vs the Cleveland Browns.

The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ (8-2) second divisional matchup of the season is the highly-anticipated brawl with the Cleveland Browns (2-8).

The Steelers are riding a five-game win streak (NFL second-best to Bills) and will fight tooth-and-nail to extend it by another at Huntington Bank Field on Thursday.

Here’s a look at the first injury and practice participation report of Browns week:

Steelers injury report

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Game status
RB Najee Harris NIR FP
CB Cory Trice Jr.** hamstring FP
LB Alex Highsmith ankle DNP
OL Isaac Seumalo NIR DNP
TE MyCole Pruitt NIR/knee FP
LB T.J. Watt NIR FP
DT Cameron Heyward NIR DNP
DT Larry Ogunjobi NIR DNP

** in the designated 21-day window to return from injured reserve

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related – resting

Browns injury report

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Game status
G Joel Bitonio pectoral LP
LB Jordan Hicks elbow, triceps FP
DT Maurice Hurst shoulder FP
WR Jerry Jeudy knee FP
T Dawand Jones leg DNP
WR Elijah Moore shoulder LP
DE Myles Garrett hip DNP
TE David Njoku knee LP
CB Greg Newsome shoulder LP
QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson finger FP
TE Geoff Swaim concussion DNP
CB Denzel Ward ribs, ankle LP
T Jedrick Wills knee DNP

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related – resting

T.J. Watt injury update

No injury exists to update for T.J. Watt, thankfully — he was among the players who earned a rest day. The heart always stops for a split second when names like Watt and Cameron Heyward show up.

Alex Highsmith injury update

While there was a glimmer of hope that Alex Highsmith (ankle) might be ready for the Thursday Night Football contest, he’s still not practicing. Highsmith sustained the injury in the Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders.

Cory Trice injury update

Cory Trice’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve started Nov. 15. He remains on injured reserve and must be activated to the active roster within the next two weeks or be sidelined for the season. Trice hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury in the Week 3 L.A. Chargers contest.

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VIDEO: Thrilling HBO ‘Hard Knocks’ AFC North trailer will amp up Steelers fans

The official trailer for Hard Knocks In Season with the AFC North, featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers, just dropped!

We’re two weeks out from the premiere of HBO’s popular docuseries “Hard Knocks,” featuring not only the Pittsburgh Steelers but the entire AFC North. The official trailer just dropped, and here’s your first look at it in all its glory.

“Hard Knocks” has been taking NFL fans behind the scenes of teams since 2001, but this is the first year they’re going in-depth on an entire division — and we’re here for it. The “in-season” rendition first started in 2021 with the Dallas Cowboys.

For the first time since its debut, the award-winning docuseries goes behind the scenes of an entire NFL division for the first time. Warner Brothers Discovery made the announcement back in June:

“Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North” will document the battle for the AFC North crown during the final six weeks of the NFL season, as well as a playoff run for the division-winner and any AFC North Wild Card teams. The 18-time Emmy-winning series will deliver its signature all-access coverage as it follows the Mike Tomlin-coached Pittsburgh Steelers, who have never been featured on “Hard Knocks” in the history of the series, as well as coach John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens, coach Zac Taylor’s Cincinnati Bengals and coach Kevin Stefanski’s Cleveland Browns. Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will share the “Hard Knocks” spotlight with Derrick Henry, Ja’Marr Chase, Myles Garrett, TJ Watt and an array of other AFC North star players.

This is the first time Pittsburgh will appear in the award-winning docuseries. The Ravens were the first team featured on the original “Hard Knocks” training camp series in 2001. Since then, the Bengals have starred in the summer show in 2009 and 2013 and the Browns in 2018.

It’ll be exciting to see a weekly behind-the-scenes look at the Steelers, a team that came out of their Week 9 bye to face the toughest schedule in the NFL.

And there’s no better time for it, with Pittsburgh facing five more AFC North opponents in seven weeks.

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2026 defensive lineman includes Tennessee in top 11 schools

2026 defensive lineman includes Tennessee in his top 11 schools.

2026 defensive lineman prospect Tajh Overton announced his top 11 schools.

Overton’s top 11 schools are Tennessee, Nebraska, Auburn, Missouri, Miami, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and UCF.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound four-star defensive lineman prospect is from Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma.

He ranks No. 204 nationally in the 247Sports Composite for the class of 2026. Overton also ranks as the No. 25 defensive lineman and No. 1 prospect in Oklahoma.

The Vols offered him a scholarship on April 23.

2026 five-star tight end includes Tennessee in top six schools

2026 five-star tight end includes Tennessee in his top six schools.

2026 tight end prospect Kendre Harrison announced his top six schools.

Harrison’s top six schools are Tennessee, Florida State, Oregon, Miami, North Carolina and Penn State.

Harrison will announce his commitment on Nov. 30, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3.

The 6-foot-7, 243-pound five-star tight end prospect is from Reidsville High School in Reidsville, North Carolina.

He ranks No. 9 nationally in the 247Sports Composite for the class of 2026. Harrison also ranks as the No. 1 tight end and No. 2 prospect in North Carolina.

The Vols offered him a scholarship on Jan. 27, 2023.

Tennessee has six commitments in its 2026 recruiting class: Quarterback Faizon Brandon, tight end Carson Sneed, offensive lineman Brandon Anderson, defensive lineman Tyson Bacon, wide receiver Tyreek King and linebacker Braylon Outlaw.