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Tennessee Football: Vols can still win the SEC East in 2017

By Andrew Miller

Nov 12, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) celebrate after Malone scored a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats during the third quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) celebrate after Malone scored a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats during the third quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee football has disappointed its fans over the course of the past two seasons, yet 2017 could bring a different result.

If you are a fan of the Tennessee Volunteers, you have likely gone through some of the most significant roller coaster emotions of any fan base in college football. Head coach Butch Jones look like he had finally returned the Vols their once glorious state entering the 2016 season with a top ten ranking in the AP Poll. Yet, their season opener against Appalachian State quickly disproved the hype for the Vols.

Tennessee enters 2017 in murky waters following the losses of key pieces such as quarterback Joshua Dobbs, running back Alvin Kamara, and cornerback Cam Sutton. Players such as senior safety Todd Kelly Jr., junior defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie, and junior running back John Kelly, need to take the reigns for the Vols in an effective way if they want any chance to compete at a high level in 2017.

The one key to Tennessee’s success in 2017 relies on the consistency out of the offense and the ability to close out games. Tennessee was unable to finish strong against in-state rival Vanderbilt in an embarrassing end of season loss. One month before the loss to Vandy, the Vols were upset on the road by upstart quarterback Jake Bentley and the South Carolina Gamecocks 24-21.

They finished the 2016 season with a record of 9-4 (4-4 SEC), behind the Florida Gators in the SEC East standings. Tennessee opened 2016 as the preseason favorite to take home the SEC East title but the Gators ended up winning their second consecutive division title, dethroning the previous back-to-back division champion Missouri Tigers.

There’s a very small chance that Tennessee even opens the 2017 season ranked in the top 25, let alone the favorite to win the SEC East. Yet, the underdog mindset could pay dividends for the Vols this season. That’s a role that Butch Jones has not been in for the last two seasons in Knoxville.

Maybe the biggest position battle in Knoxville right now resides at the quarterback position. Junior Quinten Dormady battles redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano for the right to take the reigns for the Tennessee offense. Dormady is the favorite right now as the more experienced quarterback but Guarantano would be the more promising and talented option. The last time the Vols went with a young quarterback, Josh Dobbs, it paid off quite well. Going with Guarantano would not be the worst move for Jones and the Vols to make.

Furthermore, the wide receivers will need to be much better this season. Junior Jauan Jennings made himself famous after snagging the game-winning catch against the Georgia Bulldogs last season in the dying seconds of the contest. And, sophomore Marquez Callaway is another promising option at receiver.

The schedule is not easy for Tennessee in 2017, especially their cross-conference opponents. Tennessee faces the Alabama Crimson Tide in the annual “Third Saturday in October” rivalry game in Tuscaloosa at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Vols also face the LSU Tigers at home on Nov. 18.

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Look out for Butch Jones and the Vols to do something they have not for the past two seasons, defy expectations in a good way. Georgia, Florida, and possibly even South Carolina are considered ahead of Tennessee in the battle for the SEC East. And the Vols land two of those three division opponents at home. Another eight or nine win season with a surprise SEC East division title is not out of the question for the Tennessee Volunteers this Fall.

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