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Why Tennessee could contend in the SEC
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A major power shift is difficult for any college football team to make but that task can seem next to impossible for a team in the SEC.
That is what makes the changes in fortune for the Tennessee Volunteers so impressive. After a seven-year streak during which the Vols did not win more than seven games in a season (something that had not happened since the 1974-1980 campaigns), this program looks to be on the verge of reclaiming its spot as an annual SEC championship contender.
A lot of factors have gone into this potential turnaround.
Upper-tier recruiting strength
Tennessee finished in the top five of ESPN's recruiting rankings in 2015. That places it on par with Alabama and Florida State as the only three teams to have top five recruiting classes in each of the past two seasons. To do that well in recruiting when the team was as far down as the Volunteers have been over the past few years is impressive. The sky might be the limit here if Tennessee's talented young squad moves this program back into immediate SEC title contention.
A dynamic young coach
Butch Jones has used social media as part of his rebuilding plan at Tennessee. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
One of the main reasons for the elite recruiting ranks is head coach Butch Jones. Jones won or shared in four conference championships in six seasons at Central Michigan and Cincinnati and he's already led the Volunteers to a winning record and bowl game win in the same season for the first time since 2007. Those achievements are why he is one of thethe 2020 season.
All of those elements do help the recruiting efforts but what really sets Jones apart in this area is his social media efforts. He arguably has the largest social media following in college football (something he uses to Volunteer-themed album cover based on Drake's new mixtape. Recruits like a coach who can speak their language and Jones is doing all he can to stay fluent.
Top-notch facilities
A secondary but highly important reason for the recruiting success is the Volunteers' improved football facilities. This was not an area of strength for Tennessee for a while (to put it nicely) but a recent overhaul has turned this around to the point that ESPN Insider Travis Haney says the new Peyton Manning lounge "just might be the coolest hangout in college football."
A roster that can win the SEC East in 2015
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs leads the Volunteers' improving offense. AP Photo/Richard Shiro
Current success begets future success and the Volunteers are primed for a run at the SEC East division title in 2015. They have upper-tier potential at quarterback, as top breakout player candidates in college football, could be one of the best QB/RB combinations in the SEC.
The receiving game is in superb shape, as the Volunteers return nine players who caught 10 or more passes last season, with seven of those players catching 20 or more passes. Add that to what should be an improved offensive line, a mixture of upper-tier special teams and it is clear Tennessee's move toward the top of the mountain in this conference could start as early as this season.
A highly favorable out of conference schedule
The Volunteers will also benefit from not having to expend much of their efforts overcoming the out of conference schedule. According to an analysis performed by ESPN Stats & Information, over the next five seasons Tennessee has the sixth easiest out of conference schedule among Power 5 conference teams. Ten of its 20 out of conference games are against teams from the Group of 5 and five contests occur against FCS clubs. This shows impressive foresight from the Volunteers' athletic department. This program does not need to deal with a brutal out of conference schedule during a potential turnaround period.
Bottom line
Jones already has Tennessee trending in the right direction. His coaching history indicates he knows how to keep that type of upward trend going. Add that to the recruiting successes, improved facilities and a 2015 club that could make a run at winning the SEC and it all points toward the Volunteers being on the verge of becoming a powerhouse over the next five years.
This post was edited on 4/17 10:08 AM by NYC Vol
Why Tennessee could contend in the SEC
26m - https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?ur...c&text=Why+Tennessee+could+contend+in+the+SEC
KC Joyner, NFL Insider 0Shareshttps://pinterest.com/pin/create/bu.../photo/2014/1117/ncf_g_butchjones_cmg_600.jpg
Comment
A major power shift is difficult for any college football team to make but that task can seem next to impossible for a team in the SEC.
That is what makes the changes in fortune for the Tennessee Volunteers so impressive. After a seven-year streak during which the Vols did not win more than seven games in a season (something that had not happened since the 1974-1980 campaigns), this program looks to be on the verge of reclaiming its spot as an annual SEC championship contender.
A lot of factors have gone into this potential turnaround.
Upper-tier recruiting strength
Tennessee finished in the top five of ESPN's recruiting rankings in 2015. That places it on par with Alabama and Florida State as the only three teams to have top five recruiting classes in each of the past two seasons. To do that well in recruiting when the team was as far down as the Volunteers have been over the past few years is impressive. The sky might be the limit here if Tennessee's talented young squad moves this program back into immediate SEC title contention.
A dynamic young coach
One of the main reasons for the elite recruiting ranks is head coach Butch Jones. Jones won or shared in four conference championships in six seasons at Central Michigan and Cincinnati and he's already led the Volunteers to a winning record and bowl game win in the same season for the first time since 2007. Those achievements are why he is one of thethe 2020 season.
All of those elements do help the recruiting efforts but what really sets Jones apart in this area is his social media efforts. He arguably has the largest social media following in college football (something he uses to Volunteer-themed album cover based on Drake's new mixtape. Recruits like a coach who can speak their language and Jones is doing all he can to stay fluent.
Top-notch facilities
A secondary but highly important reason for the recruiting success is the Volunteers' improved football facilities. This was not an area of strength for Tennessee for a while (to put it nicely) but a recent overhaul has turned this around to the point that ESPN Insider Travis Haney says the new Peyton Manning lounge "just might be the coolest hangout in college football."
A roster that can win the SEC East in 2015
Current success begets future success and the Volunteers are primed for a run at the SEC East division title in 2015. They have upper-tier potential at quarterback, as top breakout player candidates in college football, could be one of the best QB/RB combinations in the SEC.
The receiving game is in superb shape, as the Volunteers return nine players who caught 10 or more passes last season, with seven of those players catching 20 or more passes. Add that to what should be an improved offensive line, a mixture of upper-tier special teams and it is clear Tennessee's move toward the top of the mountain in this conference could start as early as this season.
A highly favorable out of conference schedule
The Volunteers will also benefit from not having to expend much of their efforts overcoming the out of conference schedule. According to an analysis performed by ESPN Stats & Information, over the next five seasons Tennessee has the sixth easiest out of conference schedule among Power 5 conference teams. Ten of its 20 out of conference games are against teams from the Group of 5 and five contests occur against FCS clubs. This shows impressive foresight from the Volunteers' athletic department. This program does not need to deal with a brutal out of conference schedule during a potential turnaround period.
Bottom line
Jones already has Tennessee trending in the right direction. His coaching history indicates he knows how to keep that type of upward trend going. Add that to the recruiting successes, improved facilities and a 2015 club that could make a run at winning the SEC and it all points toward the Volunteers being on the verge of becoming a powerhouse over the next five years.
This post was edited on 4/17 10:08 AM by NYC Vol
