| Year: | 1971 |
| Team: | Tennessee Volunteers |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Southeastern Conference |
| Short Conf: | SEC |
| Coachrank: | 9 |
| Aprank: | 9 |
| Record: | 10–2 |
| Conf Record: | 4–2 |
| Head Coach: | Bill Battle |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
| Captain: | Jackie Walker |
| Stadium: | Neyland Stadium |
| Champion: | Liberty Bowl champion |
| Bowl Result: | W 14–13 vs. Arkansas |
The 1971 Tennessee Volunteers football team (variously "Tennessee", "UT" or the "Vols") represented the University of Tennessee in the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Bill Battle, in his second year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of ten wins and two losses (10–2 overall, 4–2 in the SEC) and a victory over Arkansas in the 1971 Liberty Bowl.
See also: 1971 Florida Gators football team and Florida–Tennessee football rivalry.
Third-string quarterback Phil Pierce led Tennessee on a 99-yard drive in the third quarter, capped by a 20-yard touchdown pass to Stan Trott to take the lead for good. The Volunteers lost their first and second-string quarterbacks to knee injuries during the game.
Before the game, Bobby Majors was honored alongside his brothers, Iowa State head coach Johnny and the late Billy, for the family's overall contribution to the school's football program. Majors finished his final home game with 195 return yards on kicks and punts. With the win, the Volunteers accepted a bid to play in the Liberty Bowl against Arkansas. [1]
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL club | |
| Defensive back | 3 | 76 | Philadelphia Eagles | ||
| George Hunt | Kicker | 5 | 122 | Cleveland Browns | |
| Linebacker | 6 | 148 | San Francisco 49ers | ||
| Curt Watson | Running back | 6 | 150 | New Orleans Saints | |
| Linebacker | 6 | 155 | Miami Dolphins | ||
| Gary Theiler | Tight end | 12 | 308 | Baltimore Colts | |
| Joe Balthrop | Guard | 16 | 397 | New Orleans Saints |