If preseason ranks were based on off-season publicity, there is no doubt that the University of Tennessee would be ranked #1 in everyone's poll. Lane Kiffin didn't take long to begin rattling cages when he was hired in December of 2008. Kiffin takes over a program that former coach Phil Fulmer left in bad shape, by Volunteer standards. The Vols expect to compete for the SEC East title year in and year out, but the Vols haven't won the division since 2004, and had a dreadful year (5-7) in 2008. Kiffin must hope that senior quarterback Jonathan Crompton will be much improved from last year if the Vols will have any success on offense. The offense should feature some new faces this year, including the nation's number one running back recruit in Bryce Brown. Brown should get significant playing time in 2009, but will most likely start behind senior running back Monterio Hardesty. Returning junior Gerald Jones is a versatile guy who could get touches at running back, wide receiver and maybe some wildcat type situations. The Vols best days on offense are in the future with a solid recruiting effort by Kiffin and staff.
Defense should be the foundation of the 2009 version of the Tennessee Volunteers. Long time NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin joined his son, Lane, to assume the same role for the Vols. Monte has some serious talent to work with on defense. Junior safety Eric Berry is one of, if not the, best players in the nation at any position. Berry will likely be a top five pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and should be an absolute monster in the defensive backfield again this year. The Vols are experienced and quick on defense and there is no reason the unit shouldn't be among the best in the SEC.
The Vols return experienced players on special teams with kicker Daniel Lincoln and part timer Chad Cunningham returning to handle the punting duties. Gerald Jones and Dennis Rogan are dangerous returners who threaten to run back kicks at any moment.
As with any SEC East team, the Vols schedule looks threatening. The good part is only four games will be played away from intimidating Neyland Stadium in Knoxville: at Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss and Kentucky. However, the home schedule isn't a cakewalk with teams like UCLA, Auburn, Georgia, and South Carolina coming to visit. With an solid coaching staff and an abundance of fresh, young talent, the Vols are still a year or two away from being relevant in the SEC, although they could ruin a few team's dreams in 2009.
PREDICTION:
Realistic Best Case Scenario: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Scenario: 5-7
X Marc's The Spot Predicts: 6-6 (3-5), 3rd place in the SEC East
No comments:
Post a Comment