Vols 07 Schedule tough from beginning to end

We have counted it down from months to weeks and now days. The best 5 months of the year are finally here. Saturdays will soon be filled by spending endless hours in front of the TV second guessing play calls, cursing referees, and being infuriated by Lee Corso. Every games shapes your outlook for the next. One week you are feeling like you have a shot at a national title (see California), but the next week you can wonder if you are even a top 25 team (see Air Force). Here is a quick overview of the schedule, and some things to look for.

Sept. 1 @ California– Revenge will be the major theme of this game. After being embarrassed last year in Knoxville, Cal will be as motivated to win this game as just about any on their schedule. The Vols must be focused, and match the intensity Cal is going to play with if they want to leave Berkeley with a win .

Sept. 8 Southern Mississippi– This game scares me more than any on the schedule. Southern Miss is a good football team that returns most of their key players. Last year they had a convincing win over NC State. This game is also sandwiched between the Cal and Florida games. It could potentially be a lose if Tennessee is thinking about Florida.

Sept. 15 @ Florida– This should be another classic Tennessee Florida game. The Gators defense will be very young and inexperienced. Playing them early should be an advantage because they will only get better as the season progresses. If Tennessee can contain Tebow and Harvin, forcing them into third and longs, they can leave the swamp with a victory.

Sept. 22 Arkansas State– After 3 very hard fought games you should see the third team playing in the second half.

Oct 6 Georgia– The Dawgs finished last season as hot as any team in the SEC. Matthew Stafford will have a year under his belt, but could still be prone to turning the ball over. If you combine that with a defense that will be suspect it might make for a long season in Athens. Tennessee should be ready for this one after having an off date the week before.

Oct. 13 @ Mississippi State– SEC road games are never easy to win even when playing the bottom feeders. This one wont be pretty, but the Vols should be able to do just enough to escape with a win.

Oct 20 @ Alabama– The atmosphere at this game should be second to none especially if Alabama is having a good year. Nick Saban inherits a team that can challenge LSU and Auburn in the west, but they are still probably a couple years away. Look for Alabama to have one of the better offenses in the SEC with Major Applewhite becoming the offensive coordinator, and returning 8 starters.

Oct. 27 South Carolina– The Old Ball Coach believes this team is the first one he has had at South Carolina that has a legitimate shot to win the SEC. The defense returns almost everyone from last year, and should finally be at the level Spurrier is happy with. This game will be won by which ever team can force turnovers.

Nov. 3 Louisiana Lafayette– This game comes at good time. After playing 3 conference games everyone will want to get this one over quick to give the starters a rest. Hopefully anyone who injured or hurting can sit this one out and heal.

Nov. 10 Arkansas– Of all the games last year, I was most disappointed about the Arkansas game. They ran through us in any and every way they possibly could and we couldn’t stop it. With both Mcfaddon and Felix Jones back, there could more of the same. However, I could see this team having a disappointing year because of all the turmoil during the off season. I think a couple of early losses could really cause them cave. Look for Tennessee to payback the Razorbacks for last season.

Nov. 17 Vanderbilt– The Commodores might be worst team in the east, but could still beat anyone on a given day. They return a some key players, and their defense will be very good. This team beat Georgia, and had a real shot at knocking the Gators off. This should be a victory if the Vols don’t overlook them.

Nov. 24 @ Kentucky– The Cats physically beat Tennessee for the first team that I have seen. Sure there have been close games, but never one where they really pushed us around like they did last year. Their defense will be improved but still vulnerable. The goal post might come down in Lexington after this one if the Vols are not on their A game.

Guy Tiller