gator-n-buck
Well-Known Member
Starting to be one of my favorite sources... :tu:
http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/tennes ... ssee-2015/
"5. Derek Barnett will be an All-American
For the first time since DB Eric Berry received back-to-back All-America honors in 2008-09, the Vols will have an All-America presence on their roster. Barnett won a slew of national freshman honors after setting Tennessee records for tackles for loss (20.5) and sacks (10) by a freshman. Although offensives are sure to have a game plan for Barnett his second time through the league, the presence of senior Curt Maggitt on the other side of the line will keep defenses honest. Expect another double-digit sack season from Barnett as a sophomore, and this time the national media will take note from the very beginning.
4. The Vols will get their revenge on Oklahoma
Tennessee saw just how far it still had to go to return to being an elite national program when the Sooners cruised to a 34-10 victory in this out-of-conference clash last September. But to their credit, the Vols continued to improve after taking their lumps in the early season, winning four of their last five to close the year. This season, Tennessee gets its turn to play host in the series, opening Neyland Stadium in Week 2 after a home game in Nashville to kick off the season. If the Vols are able to cut down on the three turnovers from a year ago and find a way to adequately protect Joshua Dobbs, they stand a very good chance of giving Oklahoma a run for its money in front of what is sure to be a rowdy Neyland crowd.
3. The Gators will make it 11 in a row
After the Vols failed to put away a mediocre Florida team despite a two-score, fourth-quarter lead at home last season, it seems as though the Gators may have Tennessee's number in this rivalry game. In fact, the Gators have dominated this series for the last 40 years, holding a 23-6 advantage since 1976. New Florida coach Jim McElwain is sure to be motivated to make a good impression in his first SEC game in The Swamp. Combine that with the fact that Butch Jones' teams have won just three road games in the last two seasons (Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Kentucky), and this has the look of a game that Tennessee may again struggle to win.
2. Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara will prove to be a special combo
Tennessee used to be known for its dynamic running game, which included what seemed like running back after running back transitioning from Vols star to NFL player. According to Pro Football Reference, 17 Tennessee running backs have been on NFL rosters since 1990. Hurd and Kamara, each sophomores and former five-star recruits, offer a chance to return to that tradition of excellence for the Vols. And with Jones finally having a quarterback in place to lead his run-first, spread-option attack, expect to see Tennessee rushing totals go up this season. Hurd ran for 899 as a freshman in 2014, and appears poised for a 1,000-yard season as a sophomore. Add in the big-play ability of Kamara, mix in some good health, and the Vols will have their most productive backfield in years.
1. Tennessee fans will get their coveted SEC East title … in 2016
As tough of a pill as this is the swallow for a fan base starving to be relevant on the national stage once again, the Vols likely are a year away from making serious noise. The continual development of what is a very talented, young team will be evident this season, and Tennessee likely will top the six regular-season win total of a year ago. Even with an 8-4 record in a wide-open SEC East race, the Vols should be a win or two short from making the trip to Atlanta to play in the conference championship. Still, another step forward in the win-loss department and another New Year's Day bowl appearance should be an encouraging sign; the program will turn the corner in 2016."
http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/tennes ... ssee-2015/
"5. Derek Barnett will be an All-American
For the first time since DB Eric Berry received back-to-back All-America honors in 2008-09, the Vols will have an All-America presence on their roster. Barnett won a slew of national freshman honors after setting Tennessee records for tackles for loss (20.5) and sacks (10) by a freshman. Although offensives are sure to have a game plan for Barnett his second time through the league, the presence of senior Curt Maggitt on the other side of the line will keep defenses honest. Expect another double-digit sack season from Barnett as a sophomore, and this time the national media will take note from the very beginning.
4. The Vols will get their revenge on Oklahoma
Tennessee saw just how far it still had to go to return to being an elite national program when the Sooners cruised to a 34-10 victory in this out-of-conference clash last September. But to their credit, the Vols continued to improve after taking their lumps in the early season, winning four of their last five to close the year. This season, Tennessee gets its turn to play host in the series, opening Neyland Stadium in Week 2 after a home game in Nashville to kick off the season. If the Vols are able to cut down on the three turnovers from a year ago and find a way to adequately protect Joshua Dobbs, they stand a very good chance of giving Oklahoma a run for its money in front of what is sure to be a rowdy Neyland crowd.
3. The Gators will make it 11 in a row
After the Vols failed to put away a mediocre Florida team despite a two-score, fourth-quarter lead at home last season, it seems as though the Gators may have Tennessee's number in this rivalry game. In fact, the Gators have dominated this series for the last 40 years, holding a 23-6 advantage since 1976. New Florida coach Jim McElwain is sure to be motivated to make a good impression in his first SEC game in The Swamp. Combine that with the fact that Butch Jones' teams have won just three road games in the last two seasons (Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Kentucky), and this has the look of a game that Tennessee may again struggle to win.
2. Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara will prove to be a special combo
Tennessee used to be known for its dynamic running game, which included what seemed like running back after running back transitioning from Vols star to NFL player. According to Pro Football Reference, 17 Tennessee running backs have been on NFL rosters since 1990. Hurd and Kamara, each sophomores and former five-star recruits, offer a chance to return to that tradition of excellence for the Vols. And with Jones finally having a quarterback in place to lead his run-first, spread-option attack, expect to see Tennessee rushing totals go up this season. Hurd ran for 899 as a freshman in 2014, and appears poised for a 1,000-yard season as a sophomore. Add in the big-play ability of Kamara, mix in some good health, and the Vols will have their most productive backfield in years.
1. Tennessee fans will get their coveted SEC East title … in 2016
As tough of a pill as this is the swallow for a fan base starving to be relevant on the national stage once again, the Vols likely are a year away from making serious noise. The continual development of what is a very talented, young team will be evident this season, and Tennessee likely will top the six regular-season win total of a year ago. Even with an 8-4 record in a wide-open SEC East race, the Vols should be a win or two short from making the trip to Atlanta to play in the conference championship. Still, another step forward in the win-loss department and another New Year's Day bowl appearance should be an encouraging sign; the program will turn the corner in 2016."
arty: GO VOLS
