App State @ Tenn. = Tennessee will roll out its hyped up football program versus an Appy State team that has pulled some upsets against Power 5 schools. Of course, in 2009 they beat #5 Michigan and offensive coordinator Mike Debord. Since then however, Appy State has been more the typical power 5 fodder than giant killer. Appalachian State has a beautiful campus and one of my all time favorite VFLs on the coaching staff in Dale Jones. Still, Mike Debord will get his revenge and UT will play it close to the vest and still win handily.
Va. Tech vs. Tenn = Budd Foster can coach him some defense. Justin Fuentes will improve the offense. Va. Tech's talent isn't Vandy bad. It's also not Bama or Florida good. Look for this game to be much tighter than many predict. A bad field, strange environment, nationally televised game, new coaches on both sides - Tennessee wins, but in a relatively tight game.
Ohio at Tenn = The Ohio Bobcats will continue Tennessee's trip down memory lane. No Mike Debord didn't lose to Ohio, but Frank Solich whipped up on Tennessee a bit while at Nebraska. Ohio isn't horrible. They played Minnesota to a 3 point loss last year and lost to Marshall by only 11. Still, Nebraska this aint! Tennessee will overwhelm them with talent and exact some revenge on the former Husker boss.
Florida at Tennessee - All Tennessee fans with a pulse have circled this game and I believe this is the year the streak gets ended. Florida Coach Jim McElwain's coaching has never really been questioned and he inherited a lot of talent last year. The problem the Swamp Donkey has is his recruiting doesn't match his coaching. The quarterback play may be better than it was much of last year, but Tennessee got Grier last year. If the Offensive Line play hasn't improved, Tennessee will exploit the weakness and Shoop will finally let the dogs out. In addition, Florida lost a lot of talent from the defense and I don't think the recruiting has kept up. Tennessee's defense and return game bust it open and the offense exploits a defense that is being over-hyped. The home crowd helps lead to a two touchdown or more victory for the Vols.
Tennessee at Georgia - Fresh off a streak breaking victory against Florida, Tennessee will be riding high. Kirby Smart will bring a defense to Georgia that Tennessee fans will remember from Bama. If Nick Chubb is healthy, UGA pulls an upset at home. If Chubb is hurt, Tennessee will be headed for a very special season. I predict he is healthy, and using a home field advantage Georgia wins. That being said, UGA will NOT win the east. The Vols will.
Tennessee at Texas A&M - Third and Chavis eh? A and M will be dangerous. They should have good quarterback play and Sumlin is a good offensive mind. It will be very interesting to see how Shoop contains his spread attack. Chavis will almost assuredly force Dobbs to throw the ball and this will allow his wonderful defensive ends to attack. Josh Dobbs will find a few seems in the defense and Preston Williams and Josh Smith will have career days as the Vols win a tough one on the road.
Alabama at Tennessee - At some point, losing double digit draft pics takes its toll. I know Bama reloads every year, but I don't see Cooper or Ragland on the sidelines this year. I also don't see D. Henry. I think Shoop pays dividends and forces a young QB into mistakes. A wild Vol crowd plays 12th man and a new defensive coordinator for the Bammers gets exposed as the Vols win a tight one and pull a huge upset.
Tennessee at South Carolina - Will Muschamp can recruit. He just cant coach. He reminds me a lot of Ron Zook. The problem the Cocks have is that as of now, the talent is bad and Muschamp is coaching. Tennessee will have to watch a let down game after a Bama win, but they will do so and survive and advance.
Tennessee vs. The Field (Tennessee Tech, Kentucky, Missouri, Vandy) - Tennessee will win all of these games rather easily en route to an SEC East Championship.
FINAL PREDICTION 11-1 and off to Atlanta
Va. Tech vs. Tenn = Budd Foster can coach him some defense. Justin Fuentes will improve the offense. Va. Tech's talent isn't Vandy bad. It's also not Bama or Florida good. Look for this game to be much tighter than many predict. A bad field, strange environment, nationally televised game, new coaches on both sides - Tennessee wins, but in a relatively tight game.
Ohio at Tenn = The Ohio Bobcats will continue Tennessee's trip down memory lane. No Mike Debord didn't lose to Ohio, but Frank Solich whipped up on Tennessee a bit while at Nebraska. Ohio isn't horrible. They played Minnesota to a 3 point loss last year and lost to Marshall by only 11. Still, Nebraska this aint! Tennessee will overwhelm them with talent and exact some revenge on the former Husker boss.
Florida at Tennessee - All Tennessee fans with a pulse have circled this game and I believe this is the year the streak gets ended. Florida Coach Jim McElwain's coaching has never really been questioned and he inherited a lot of talent last year. The problem the Swamp Donkey has is his recruiting doesn't match his coaching. The quarterback play may be better than it was much of last year, but Tennessee got Grier last year. If the Offensive Line play hasn't improved, Tennessee will exploit the weakness and Shoop will finally let the dogs out. In addition, Florida lost a lot of talent from the defense and I don't think the recruiting has kept up. Tennessee's defense and return game bust it open and the offense exploits a defense that is being over-hyped. The home crowd helps lead to a two touchdown or more victory for the Vols.
Tennessee at Georgia - Fresh off a streak breaking victory against Florida, Tennessee will be riding high. Kirby Smart will bring a defense to Georgia that Tennessee fans will remember from Bama. If Nick Chubb is healthy, UGA pulls an upset at home. If Chubb is hurt, Tennessee will be headed for a very special season. I predict he is healthy, and using a home field advantage Georgia wins. That being said, UGA will NOT win the east. The Vols will.
Tennessee at Texas A&M - Third and Chavis eh? A and M will be dangerous. They should have good quarterback play and Sumlin is a good offensive mind. It will be very interesting to see how Shoop contains his spread attack. Chavis will almost assuredly force Dobbs to throw the ball and this will allow his wonderful defensive ends to attack. Josh Dobbs will find a few seems in the defense and Preston Williams and Josh Smith will have career days as the Vols win a tough one on the road.
Alabama at Tennessee - At some point, losing double digit draft pics takes its toll. I know Bama reloads every year, but I don't see Cooper or Ragland on the sidelines this year. I also don't see D. Henry. I think Shoop pays dividends and forces a young QB into mistakes. A wild Vol crowd plays 12th man and a new defensive coordinator for the Bammers gets exposed as the Vols win a tight one and pull a huge upset.
Tennessee at South Carolina - Will Muschamp can recruit. He just cant coach. He reminds me a lot of Ron Zook. The problem the Cocks have is that as of now, the talent is bad and Muschamp is coaching. Tennessee will have to watch a let down game after a Bama win, but they will do so and survive and advance.
Tennessee vs. The Field (Tennessee Tech, Kentucky, Missouri, Vandy) - Tennessee will win all of these games rather easily en route to an SEC East Championship.
FINAL PREDICTION 11-1 and off to Atlanta
