YAZ
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Most normal programs would be singing from the rooftops after a ten-win season and a share of the SEC East title. Most normal programs would drool over the thought of winning 37 games in four years. Tennessee isn't a normal program.
With memories of the 1998 national title fading, two straight ugly bowl games and programs like Georgia and LSU becoming superpowers, Tennessee needs to come up with a huge year. Granted, winning as many games as the Vols have over the last few seasons is impressive no matter what else happened, but back-to-back blowout Peach Bowl losses by a combined score of 57-17 are puzzling considering the team was good enough, at least last year, to beat Florida and Miami on the road. So where does this year's team fit in?
Call Tennessee the SEC wild-card. There's as much experience, and as much athleticism and talent, as anyone in the conference and anyone in the country meaning now is the time for all the potential and all the great recruits of a few years ago to finally play up to the hype. You could make an all-star recruiting list of players like QB C.J. Leak, OT Michael Munoz and running backs Gerald Riggs, Cedric Houston and Jabari Davis, but they haven't come through yet as expected. Many are going to forget about Tennessee this year with all the preseason focus on Georgia and LSU, but watch out; this is an SEC title caliber team if everything clicks. Don't be shocked if it does.
The Schedule: This is a schedule conducive for a national title run. Tennessee certainly won't have an easy path to the Orange Bowl, but seven home games will help. Going on the road to deal with Georgia will test whether or not the Vols are serious about winning the SEC East, while the home stretch is nice and cushy not facing a 2003 bowl team from mid-October on.
Best Offensive Player: Senior OT Michael Munoz. He hasn't lived up to his prep billing, but he has turned into a productive and dependable blocker with a mean streak and an attitude that sets the tone for the line. He's at the point where he can go from being a good SEC performer to an All-American and high draft pick with a big season.
Best Defensive Player: Junior LB Kevin Simon. Ankle and knee problems were behind him last year as he led the Volunteers with 115 tackles. The leader of a very good run defense, he was a top playmaker making 4.5 sacks, eight quarterback hurries and six tackles for loss.
Key player to a successful season: There are a few issues just about everywhere, but nothing to be too concerned about other than the secondary. The Vols gave up a mere ten touchdown passes and only allowed 186 yards per game. Now only one starter returns and there's a major concern about experience and depth. Jason Allen will be a fantastic corner as the year goes on, so now it'll be up to converted receiver Jonathan Wade to become a top playmaker in place of injured Antwan Stewart.
The season will be a success if ... Tennessee wins the SEC title. Winning the East would be a good enough season, but this team has the potential and the athletes to win the league title. The schedule is kind with only one nasty SEC road date.
Key game: Oct. 9 at Georgia. Yeah, the road team always seems to win the Florida-Tennessee showdown and Auburn and Alabama aren't just going to roll over and die, but this is as easy an SEC schedule as a team can reasonably ask for. If the Volunteers can win between the hedges, there's no reason they can't run the table.
2003 Fun Stats:
- Second quarter scoring. Tennessee 108 - Opponents 50
- Average yards per kickoff return: Opponents 25.2 - Tennessee 20.7
- Touchdown passes: Tennessee 28 - Opponents 10
With memories of the 1998 national title fading, two straight ugly bowl games and programs like Georgia and LSU becoming superpowers, Tennessee needs to come up with a huge year. Granted, winning as many games as the Vols have over the last few seasons is impressive no matter what else happened, but back-to-back blowout Peach Bowl losses by a combined score of 57-17 are puzzling considering the team was good enough, at least last year, to beat Florida and Miami on the road. So where does this year's team fit in?
Call Tennessee the SEC wild-card. There's as much experience, and as much athleticism and talent, as anyone in the conference and anyone in the country meaning now is the time for all the potential and all the great recruits of a few years ago to finally play up to the hype. You could make an all-star recruiting list of players like QB C.J. Leak, OT Michael Munoz and running backs Gerald Riggs, Cedric Houston and Jabari Davis, but they haven't come through yet as expected. Many are going to forget about Tennessee this year with all the preseason focus on Georgia and LSU, but watch out; this is an SEC title caliber team if everything clicks. Don't be shocked if it does.
The Schedule: This is a schedule conducive for a national title run. Tennessee certainly won't have an easy path to the Orange Bowl, but seven home games will help. Going on the road to deal with Georgia will test whether or not the Vols are serious about winning the SEC East, while the home stretch is nice and cushy not facing a 2003 bowl team from mid-October on.
Best Offensive Player: Senior OT Michael Munoz. He hasn't lived up to his prep billing, but he has turned into a productive and dependable blocker with a mean streak and an attitude that sets the tone for the line. He's at the point where he can go from being a good SEC performer to an All-American and high draft pick with a big season.
Best Defensive Player: Junior LB Kevin Simon. Ankle and knee problems were behind him last year as he led the Volunteers with 115 tackles. The leader of a very good run defense, he was a top playmaker making 4.5 sacks, eight quarterback hurries and six tackles for loss.
Key player to a successful season: There are a few issues just about everywhere, but nothing to be too concerned about other than the secondary. The Vols gave up a mere ten touchdown passes and only allowed 186 yards per game. Now only one starter returns and there's a major concern about experience and depth. Jason Allen will be a fantastic corner as the year goes on, so now it'll be up to converted receiver Jonathan Wade to become a top playmaker in place of injured Antwan Stewart.
The season will be a success if ... Tennessee wins the SEC title. Winning the East would be a good enough season, but this team has the potential and the athletes to win the league title. The schedule is kind with only one nasty SEC road date.
Key game: Oct. 9 at Georgia. Yeah, the road team always seems to win the Florida-Tennessee showdown and Auburn and Alabama aren't just going to roll over and die, but this is as easy an SEC schedule as a team can reasonably ask for. If the Volunteers can win between the hedges, there's no reason they can't run the table.
2003 Fun Stats:
- Second quarter scoring. Tennessee 108 - Opponents 50
- Average yards per kickoff return: Opponents 25.2 - Tennessee 20.7
- Touchdown passes: Tennessee 28 - Opponents 10
