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Tennessee Football: 2016 may be The Year of the Volunteer

By Shannon Sickmon

Oct 4, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; A general view of Neyland Stadium prior to the game against the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; A general view of Neyland Stadium prior to the game against the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Butch Jones and his Tennessee football team are the preseason darlings but if they are to live up to the hype they better beat Florida first.

The Tennessee Volunteers are going to be good in 2016; everyone seems to agree on that. The question is, how good? The team has loads of talent and returns the vast majority of their starters. They are the clear preseason favorite to win the SEC East. Unfortunately for the Vols, though, the hype may be too much. Can Tennessee live up to the preseason excitement? There are definitely a few question marks.

First, the Vols have received hype in the preseason before; and it never worked out in their favor. To wit, in 2005 Tennessee started off the season ranked third in the AP Poll. They finished the 2005 season with a dismal 5-6 record, failing to even clinch a bowl. In 2012 the Vols were also predicted as the likely candidate to compete for SEC East. They finished the season 5-7 and 1-7 against SEC opponents. That season was the death knell for Derek Dooley-he was dismissed after that. Last year Vols had a promising season with a particularly explosive ending in their bowl game.

Pundits are claiming that 2016 will be the year of the Volunteer. If Tennessee can overcome this psychological pattern of slamming on the brakes in key games, they may just be one of the best teams in the country. However, that is a major problem with the program. Last season, the Vols started off every game with explosive energy. Unfortunately, they seemed to fizzle out after the first quarter.

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In 2015, the program was plagued with predictable, conservative play-calling and passive late-game losses. Their talent kept them competitive against stellar opponents, but their tendency toward reactionary football cost them four games. That propensity, coupled with QB Joshua Dobbs’ predilection toward short passes and running plays kept the Vols from SEC playoff. Dobbs has adept running backs; if he can improve his long game the Vols might be unstoppable.

There are plenty of reasons to jump on the Tennessee preseason bandwagon. On paper, they are one of the best teams in the country. The team is loaded with talent and improves every year.

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Unfortunately, the team has a few hurdles to overcome; namely, their QB issues and their tendency toward passive, play-not-to-lose football. The Vols also need to snap their miserable losing streak against Florida.

Provided Tennessee can overcome their own history the Vols may have a banner 2016. That trip to Athens will be the key. If Tennessee can take down both Georgia and Florida, and that is a big if, they may just end the season with a national title run.

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