TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS O:7 D:5
If ever there was an SEC team out for redemption in ’06, it’s these Tennessee Volunteers. Rocky Top was none to happy about seeing their 16-year bowl streak end last season, and suffer its first losing season since 1988. Still, the Vols outgained all of its SEC foes despite their 3-5 conference mark. HC Phillip Fulmer brought in old buddy and former Mississippi HC David Cutcliffe to reenergize last year’s stagnant offense that averaged a paltry 18 PPG in ’05. His presence alone should help but with stability at the QB position (Erik Ainge), as well as a solid WR & RB corps, the Vols offense should dramatically increase its output. Defensively, the Vols lose its entire LB corps from a year ago, and a number of impact players along the D-Line. That being said, Tennessee always recruits well defensively, so there’s no reason to believe that talent will not be on hand. The secondary looks to be in fine shape as the entire unit returns intact. Special teams was a problem last year, but the unit returns fully intact and should only improve on last years numbers.
No doubt, the Vols were a major disappointment in 2005, but losing to the likes of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Notre Dame is understandable. Losing to Vandy was uncalled for; especially at home. They once again have one of the tougher schedules in the country, but could get off to a great straight with their first four games coming in the comfy confines of Neyland Stadium. All their road games are of the winnable variety, so its quite possible the Vols of ’06 could go from last year’s disappointment to this year’s story in the SEC.
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