It was a tale of 2 seasons for the Tennessee Volunteers. They won only 1 of their first 5 games, then lost only 1 of their final 8, including an uneven yet exciting Gator Bowl victory over Indiana. The 23-22 win gave Tennessee some much-needed momentum heading into spring practice as they finished the season 8-5. But looking ahead, there are glaring issues that surround this team.

Here are my 5 New Year’s resolutions for the Big Orange.

1. Start stronger in 2020

The beginning of the season was as bad as it gets for Tennessee. A historic loss to Georgia State was followed by a late-game collapse against BYU. Blowout losses to rivals Florida and Georgia left the Vols at 1-4.

In 2020, Tennessee has a trip to Playoff participant Oklahoma in Week 2, with its first SEC game in Week 4 against the Gators. Those are the 2 toughest tests for the Vols in the first half of the schedule. A 4-2 start heading into the bye week is quite possible. Tennessee has won 4 of its first 6 only once in the past 12 years, when it began the 2016 season at 5-1. That team finished 9-4, including a Music City Bowl win over Nebraska, and was ranked No. 22 in the final AP poll.

2. Develop wide receiver talent

It’s no secret that the Vols are going to be losing a lot in the passing game. Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway, Tennessee’s top receivers, have played their last collegiate contests. They were responsible for 89 catches and 1,606 yards in 2019, along with 15 touchdowns.

Rising senior Josh Palmer is the top returning pass catcher. There will be new chances for sophomores-to-be Ramel Keyton and Cedric Tillman, who got a good deal of playing time this year but not many opportunities. Vols wide receivers coach Tee Martin will need to prepare those guys for the extra attention. Tennessee will get Brandon Johnson back in the fold, as well, for a final season. He took a redshirt after playing in the opening 4 games in 2019. Don’t be surprised to see one of the incoming freshmen pressed into action as well this fall.

Josh Palmer will be the Vols’ top returning receiver after catching 34 passes this season. Photo by: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

3. Get Harrison Bailey ready

If the past is indeed prologue, then Tennessee needs to have incoming 4-star quarterback Harrison Bailey ready to play come September.

The Vols’ quarterback stable simply isn’t … stable. Jarrett Guarantano will likely return for a 5th and final season. Despite his rejuvenation in the second half of this season, consistency remains a serious problem. Look no further than the Gator Bowl. His 2 interceptions led to 10 Indiana points. He overthrew receivers time and time again. But he also showed poise in leading the Vols back from a 13-point deficit in the 4th quarter.

Backup Brian Maurer dealt with concussion issues during his freshman season, and you can’t be certain about his status. J.T. Shrout has a big arm and issues with accuracy. There’s also a decent chance either Maurer or Shrout decides to transfer.

In an ideal world, Tennessee could redshirt Bailey. I just don’t see that as being probable. Unless a quarterback named Dobbs is taking snaps, the Vols have had to roll through multiple quarterbacks every year since Tyler Bray in 2012. Harrison Bailey might very well be pressed into action in 2020.

4. Figure things out in the red zone

Tennessee was one of the worst teams in the nation inside the 20-yard line. Those issues showed up big-time in Jacksonville, as the Vols had only 6 points to show for their first 3 trips to the red zone. The Vols finally figured some things out late in the game, with a short touchdown run by Quavaris Crouch and a 16-yard jaunt by Eric Gray that proved to be the winning score.

The Vols brought offensive coordinator Jim Chaney back to Knoxville at great expense last winter. His play-calling must improve, as must Guarantano’s ability to get the ball over the goal line. The red zone inefficiency nearly cost them the Gator Bowl. It will cost them games down the line.

5. Find leaders on defense

Tennessee says goodbye to 3 solid figures on its defense — linebacker Daniel Bituli, outside linebacker/defensive end Darrell Taylor and safety Nigel Warrior. Bituli and Warrior finished the year 1-2 on the team in tackles. Taylor led the Vols in sacks. Those guys helped the Vols win games this season when their backs were to the wall. They also helped keep this team together after a rough opening half of the schedule.

Linebacker Henry To’o To’o will be only a sophomore, but he has already been a leader on this defense, and that role needs to grow this offseason. In the secondary, Bryce Thompson will be back for his junior season and will be looked at even more in the future for this program. Other candidates include senior-to-be Theo Jackson, fellow defensive back Alontae Taylor and defensive lineman Matthew Butler.