SEC Football: Best and Worst-Case Scenario for Every Team in 2015

Oct 11, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones on the sideline against the Chattanooga Mocs during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Like most teams, the worst-case scenario for Tennessee this season centers on health – particularly the health of quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Despite an improved rushing attack, deep receiving corps and solid defense, Tennessee would struggle offensively without their dual threat signal caller.

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You only have to look at the unit’s performance across the first seven games of 2014 while Dobbs was watching from the sidelines: 3-4 overall, 0-3 in the SEC, 24.4 points per game (14.7 PPG in SEC play), 325.1 yards per game (275 YPG in league games). And that’s was with a veteran senior quarterback under center; not an untested freshman like the three backing up Dobbs in 2015.

Thinking worst-case possible, if Dobbs suffers an unfortunate season ending injury in a season opening victory over Bowling Green, Tennessee won’t have a shot at beating Oklahoma in Week 2. Without Dobbs, the Vols would struggle against a rejuvenated Florida team in The Swamp. They would also likely fall to surging Arkansas and SEC East favorite Georgia at home and defending SEC champ Alabama on the road, meaning the Vols might not pick up their first conference win until Halloween night at Kentucky.

At that point, Tennessee would be just 2-5. Four wins in the final five games appears likely even without Dobbs, which would put the Vols back in a bowl game for the second straight season, but a fifth losing season in six years would be the likely result.

If Dobbs stays healthy, Tennessee would probably win at least one more game (either at Florida or Mizzou). However, just like every game is winnable, there are roughly eight contests that could be classified as “loseable,” though a 7-5 regular season is the worst the Vols seem capable of in 2015 with a healthy roster.

Tennessee’s Worst Case Scenario: A bowl game seems likely, but championship hopes would die if Josh Dobbs doesn’t stay healthy

Next: Best-Case Scenario: Arkansas