Daniels: SEC Team Projection – Tennessee

Neyland Stadium home of the Tennessee Vols
Photo courtesy of utsports.com

The Tennessee Volunteers’ offense has gotten a lot of hype this year, and the question is whether or not Butch Jones is paying too much attention to it or if he is trying to keep it from getting to his team.

The answer, of course, is that the team knows about it, but I think Butch Jones is a good enough coach that he will not let it get inside his players’ heads too much. The Volunteers are poised for a good season with Joshua Dobbs running the offense at quarterback.

They are also returning running back Jalen Hurd and outstanding wide receiver corps like Marquez North, Pig Howard and Von Pearson. I think that Tennessee will give Georgia a run for its money in terms of who will be making it to Atlanta at the end of the season.

One game will determine who will be playing in the SEC Championship, and its Tennessee vs. Georgia in Knoxville. Expect a good season for the Volunteers, but I think they just miss the SEC Championship. Here’s my prediction:

September 5 vs. Bowling Green, W 42-17: All the hype for the Volunteers to win the East will terminate with this game, as they will just have to go out and play for a SEC Championship appearance. I do not think Tennessee will have any problems here as they perform well against a good Bowling Green team.

September 12 vs. Oklahoma, L 28-37: This is a highly anticipated game for both schools because Oklahoma is getting just as much hype as the Volunteers. Essentially, Butch Jones and his team are just not quite at this stage to pull off the upset against a very strong Oklahoma team.

September 19 vs. Western Carolina, W 49-9: Joshua Dobbs will only have to play one half in this one because of the disparity between the teams. Tennessee can just relax and prepare for the conference opener next week. The backups will pick up some good numbers with the win.

September 26 vs. Florida, W 24-20: The long stint of 10 years of losses against the Gators will bring much relief to the Volunteers. Jalen Hurd should have a big game along with Dobbs in the running attack.

October 3 vs. Arkansas, W 30-20: Tennessee knows that Arkansas will run the football. If they cannot stop the run, then this will not be a win. I think they will prepare for it and get their biggest win of the season by far. Expect good games for the Tennessee wide outs.

October 10 vs. Georgia L 24-27: This is a huge game for both teams, as this game essentially determines who will get to Atlanta. I think it will be tight all the way through, and a field goal will be the difference in the game and possibly a season.

October 24 vs. Alabama, L 14-23: This one will be tough for Butch Jones and company as they take on the Tide in Tuscaloosa. I do not think that their offense can outmatch the Alabama defense this season as Alabama will have the home field advantage as well.

October 31 vs. Kentucky, W 28-21: Tennessee will struggle with the Kentucky offense that features the read option before halftime, but some good halftime adjustments from Butch Jones will key in the win for the Volunteers.

November 7 vs. South Carolina, W 35-23: This is a game perfectly suited for Joshua Dobbs, as I think he will put up big numbers for the offense. Marquez North will gain some real estate in the receiving department. This win will send the Vols to a bowl game.

November 14 vs. North Texas, W 66-10: This should be just an extra win to improve their bowl status. Dobbs will have another big game and most likely will not have to play the whole game because of a more than comfortable lead at the break.

November 21 @ Missouri, L 23-33: I think Missouri will be right in the mix with Tennessee and Georgia for an SEC Championship berth. I predict the Tigers will improve their odds and pull the upset over the Volunteers.

November 28 vs. Vanderbilt, W 29-19: Tennessee will continue to have the edge in this rivalry and get the win against the Commodores. Expect a good game from Joshua Dobbs and Jalen Hurd in the spread offense.

Grant Daniels, a student at Oxford High School, is sports correspondent for HottyToddy.com. Email him at hottytoddynews@gmail.com