Can the Volunteers be the second-best team in the East?
There’s some momentum around the program. It’s not the first time that’s happened, as Butch Jones had sparked some genuine enthusiasm at one point during his tenure, but this time there’s an offensive identity that gives the Volunteers some life and their fan base reason to be hopeful. Until proven otherwise, the top program in the East is Georgia. The defending national champions keep that mantle until someone takes it from them, and as much optimism as there is in Knoxville, Tennessee ain’t there yet.
But can they be the second-best team? Possibly. Florida is in year one of the Billy Napier era, and Kentucky with Will Levis is turning heads. Tennessee is on the uptick. Hendon Hooker can be a sleeper candidate for SEC Offensive Player of the Year with a true dual-threat ability that has to be accounted for. He was a 68 percent passer last season with a 31-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio while also rushing for more than 600 yards and five touchdowns.
We haven’t reached Texas levels on whether or not Tennessee is “back” yet, but the Volunteers appear dangerous to pull off upsets again, and it’s been a while since anyone but Vols fans have felt that way. — Suttles
There’s some momentum around the program. It’s not the first time that’s happened, as Butch Jones had sparked some genuine enthusiasm at one point during his tenure, but this time there’s an offensive identity that gives the Volunteers some life and their fan base reason to be hopeful. Until proven otherwise, the top program in the East is Georgia. The defending national champions keep that mantle until someone takes it from them, and as much optimism as there is in Knoxville, Tennessee ain’t there yet.
But can they be the second-best team? Possibly. Florida is in year one of the Billy Napier era, and Kentucky with Will Levis is turning heads. Tennessee is on the uptick. Hendon Hooker can be a sleeper candidate for SEC Offensive Player of the Year with a true dual-threat ability that has to be accounted for. He was a 68 percent passer last season with a 31-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio while also rushing for more than 600 yards and five touchdowns.
We haven’t reached Texas levels on whether or not Tennessee is “back” yet, but the Volunteers appear dangerous to pull off upsets again, and it’s been a while since anyone but Vols fans have felt that way. — Suttles
