Robinson was named Preseason All-SEC prior to the 1985 season. He was also considered a contender for the Heisman Trophy. In Tennessee's season opener against 10th-ranked UCLA, he threw for a school record 387 yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yard bomb to Clinkscales, and rushed for 30 yards, giving him 417 total yards to break his own school record for total offense. The Bruins rallied to score 16 points late in the fourth quarter, however, to escape with a 26-26 tie.