Butch Jones has re-established stability in Tennessee after the failed Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley eras.
Thanks to a handful of quality recruiting classes, Tennessee is back on the college football map. Predictions range from six to 11 wins for the upstart Vols this season. Many experts believe that Tennessee has the right confluence of talent to challenge for the SEC East and, perhaps, even further. Are those lofty expectations for a Volunteers squad that went 7-6 last season?
SEC Network analysts Jabari Greer and Greg McElroy recently got together to predict Tennessee’s 2015 record. They started with some sure wins before getting into games in contention:
- vs. Bowling Green
- vs. Western Carolina
- at Kentucky
- vs. North Texas
- vs. Vanderbilt
If we go by McElroy and Greer’s sure-win predictions alone, the Volunteers find themselves with seven chances to earn one win and become bowl eligible. Of course, simply making a bowl isn’t the goal in Knoxville under Butch Jones’ third season at the helm. According to the SEC Network prognosticators, the Volunteers will achieve their first 10-win campaign since 2007 and finish second behind Georgia in the SEC East.
A look at McElroy and Greer’s breakdown of the games in contention for Tennessee:
Sept. 12 — OKLAHOMA AT TENNESSEE
Predicted result: Win
McElroy: “Tennessee has enough experience and enthusiasm to protect the home field. Baker Mayfield, the new starting quarterback for Oklahoma, new offensive coordinator for Oklahoma, the continuity defensively for Tennessee is what gives them the ‘W.'”
Greer: “I disagree right there, and I might get some calls from Vols Nation, but the thing is, that Oklahoma is just stacked. Their receiver position is one of the deepest in the NCAA. They have a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate in Samaje Perine, and they beat up the Volunteers last year. I think they come in and get the ‘W.'”
Host Maria Taylor broke the tie, agreeing with McElroy’s “home-field advantage” argument and awarded the Volunteers the win.
SEPT. 26 — TENNESSEE AT FLORIDA
Predicted result: Win
McElroy: “At Florida, I think the streak comes to an end. Florida’s offensive line right now has a lot of inexperience, had four guys drafted off of it last year. I think Tennessee goes and dominates the line of scrimmage and gets a much-needed win against their arch-rival Gators.”
Greer: “Everything this guy (McElroy) is saying is dead-on. He’s a smart man. Tennessee with the win.”
OCT. 3 ARKANSAS AT TENNESSEE
Predicted result: Win
McElroy: “This will be an interesting game, Arkansas. Arkansas can control the line of scrimmage, Tennessee’s defensive line is solid, linebacking corps, secondary … I think that Tennessee gets it done, only because (of) the home field. If this game is in Fayetteville, I’m taking the Hogs. And the home field gets the advantage for the Volunteers.”
Greer: “I think Arkansas really has a tough time on their hands with the injury of Jonathan Williams. It’s going to be tough for them coming in and beating Tennessee. Tennessee wins this game.”
OCT. 10 — GEORGIA AT TENNESSEE
Predicted result: Loss
McElroy: “I think Georgia is just deep on the offensive line. I think they do a great job with their defensive scheme; their linebackers are off the charts good. Their secondary is steadily improving and they have a rock-solid running game, so I’m going to go with the Georgia Bulldogs. I think it’s their year in the SEC.”
Greer: “No. I’m going with Tennessee. Georgia has great outside pressure, but I think Mike DeBord is going to do something to neutralize that, using Josh Dobbs to step up in the pocket and then run out. So I think he’s going to win it.”
Taylor once again deferred to McElroy to break the tie, this time awarding Tennessee its first loss on the list.
Oct. 24 — TENNESSEE AT ALABAMA
Predicted result: Loss
McElroy: “At Alabama, I think that’s a tough game. If it’s in Knoxville, I think they have a better chance, but I gotta go with the Tide, in Bryant-Denny taking the home field.”
Greer: “I have to go with Alabama, as well. Tennessee, is going to be tough to win at Bryant-Denny Stadium.”
NOV. 7 — SOUTH CAROLINA AT TENNESSEE
Predicted result: Win
McElroy: “I’m taking Tennessee in both games (against South Carolina and Missouri). I think they’re better than South Carolina.”
Greer: “Tennessee.”
NOV. 21 — TENNESSEE AT MISSOURI
Predicted result: Win
McElroy: “I think this is the year that Missouri comes back down to Earth and Tennessee finishes in sole second in the SEC East.”
FINAL PREDICTED RECORD: 10-2
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
