What Is 1987 Tennessee Vols football team

Overview

The 1987 Tennessee Volunteers football team competed in the NCAA Division I-A football season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Led by head coach Johnny Majors, the team entered the season with high expectations after a strong 1986 campaign that ended in the 1987 Sugar Bowl.

Despite a promising start and a preseason AP Poll ranking of #17, the Volunteers struggled with consistency, finishing the regular season with a 7-4 record. Their season concluded with a trip to the Hall of Fame Bowl, where they faced the Indiana Hoosiers in a high-scoring but ultimately disappointing loss.

• Head coach Johnny Majors was in his 12th season at Tennessee, having previously led the team to a national title in 1951 as a player and a Sugar Bowl win in 1986.
• The team opened the season ranked #17 in the AP Poll, reflecting optimism following a 9-2-1 record the previous year.
• Tennessee started strong with a 5-1 record, including a 24-21 win over #11 LSU, showing promise for a bowl-eligible campaign.
• Mid-season struggles included a loss to Alabama (38-21) and a narrow defeat to #4 Auburn (28-27), highlighting defensive vulnerabilities.
• The Volunteers secured a bowl berth by defeating Kentucky 34-21 in their final regular-season game to finish 7-4.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1987 season featured a mix of competitive performances and missed opportunities, particularly in close games against ranked opponents. The team showed offensive flashes but lacked consistency, especially after quarterback changes disrupted the rhythm.

• Reggie Collier, a transfer from Southern Miss, started the season at quarterback but left the team mid-season due to personal reasons, weakening the offense.
• Tennessee defeated Georgia 24-3 in October, a dominant performance that briefly revived playoff hopes and showcased defensive strength.
• The October 10 loss to Auburn (28-27) was a turning point; the Vols missed a late field goal that could have tied the game.
• The team allowed an average of 24.5 points per game, a notable increase from the previous season’s 17.8, indicating defensive regression.
• Offensively, Tennessee averaged 24.1 points per game, relying heavily on running back Chuck Webb, who rushed for 903 yards.
• The season concluded with a 35-20 loss to Indiana in the Hall of Fame Bowl on January 2, 1988, in Birmingham, Alabama.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1987 season compared closely with previous years in terms of record and bowl performance, but fell short of expectations set by the 1986 team.

The table highlights a decline in performance from the peak of 1986. While the 1987 team matched the 1985 and 1988 squads in wins, it failed to maintain momentum or earn a final ranking. The Hall of Fame Bowl appearance was only the second of its kind for Tennessee, underscoring the team’s fluctuating success during this era.

Why It Matters

The 1987 season is remembered as a transitional year that exposed weaknesses in depth and quarterback stability, ultimately shaping future roster and coaching decisions.

• The departure of Reggie Collier mid-season underscored the need for better quarterback development and depth.
• Johnny Majors continued to rebuild the program, but the back-to-back unranked finishes in 1987 and 1988 increased pressure on the coaching staff.
• The defensive struggles against high-powered offenses like Auburn and Indiana prompted scheme adjustments in subsequent seasons.
• Tennessee’s inability to close tight games, such as the 28-27 loss to Auburn, highlighted the need for improved situational execution.
• The Hall of Fame Bowl appearance kept Tennessee visible nationally, though the loss diminished its impact.
• Chuck Webb’s emergence as a reliable running back laid the foundation for future offensive strategies under Majors.

Though not a standout year, the 1987 season provided valuable lessons that contributed to Tennessee’s gradual return to prominence in the 1990s, culminating in the 1998 national championship under Phil Fulmer.