This is it for the Tennessee Volunteers. The past few seasons, head coach Butch Jones has steadily built this team by stockpiling recruits. The results on the field have fallen short of expectations, but this is the year in which it’s all supposed to come together. The recruits Jones pulled in two and three years ago are still in the program as upperclassmen. Now is the time for them to shine and, at a minimum, win the SEC East, which Tennessee hasn’t done since 2007. Anything less than a division title will be considered a major disappointment.
There is a lot of hype surrounding this young, talented team that’s been on the cusp over the last couple of seasons but taking that next step is always tricky. The Volts program is in great shape but this is a defining season for them – especially since the SEC East isn’t particularly strong. Let’s take a closer look at this team and determine if they’ll meet the hype.
Biggest Team Weakness
This is a weakness which could quickly become a strength. Josh Dobbs is a very talented quarterback. He is mobile, and he possesses quality arm strength. He has the physical capabilities of a high-impact player. However, he doesn’t make great reads with the consistency a coaching staff needs at quarterback. He does not respond well to high-pressure situations. Tennessee was on the verge of beating Oklahoma last year, but the offense faltered in the fourth quarter. Tennessee pushed Alabama last year, but the offense couldn’t get the job done in the fourth quarter. Tennessee’s defense lost second-half leads in many instances last season, and while the defense obviously has to take its share of the blame, the offense could not possess the ball, drain the clock, or create touchdowns to stem opponents’ rallies. Dobbs has to become a leader by example this year. He needs to step up when his teammates need him to, becoming the rock of this team in ways he hasn’t been the previous two seasons. If Dobbs emerges into a next-level player, the Tennessee Volunteers will fulfill its biggest goals… but is that actually going to happen? It’s far from certain.
Biggest Team Strength
The Tennessee Volunteers have some horses on defense, including lineman Derek Barnett and defensive back Cameron Sutton, but their best defensive player is linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who led the team in tackles last year with 105 and tackles for loss with 14. Reeves-Maybin covers so much territory on defense that Tennessee’s linebackers as a group can maintain integrity with their assignments. Tennessee’s linebackers could rack up a lot of interceptions against the unproven quarterbacks at rival schools Georgia and Florida. Tennessee might need to win games with turnovers if Dobbs is not able to put all the pieces together for the offense this season.
Schedule
The Florida game is at home this year, which is a big deal, while the Georgia game is on the road. Last year, it was reversed. The other notable game is a game at the Bristol Motor Speedway against Virginia Tech, a team rebuilding under first-year head coach Justin Fuente. That’s a game where the Volts could build some confidence for their young roster.
It also has to be mentioned that the Vols get fortunate in that they play in the SEC East, not the far stronger West. They’d have a really tough time competing for the division crown in the West but in the East, they are one of the frontrunners.
Outlook
The Tennessee Volunteers haven’t beaten Florida in a very long time. The Gators have become their top nemesis, and this year, Tennessee hosts Florida. If UT wins that game, the Vols should win the SEC East. The good news is they probably should. Last year, Florida was a surprise team but proved to be slightly ahead of Vols. This year, Tennessee is the better team and they get to host this contest at Rocky Top. Look for the Vols to have a banner year by beating Florida, winning the division, but falling short of a team like Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. A division win and a quality bowl game will be huge for Butch Jones and company.
Projection: 1st In SEC East
