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SEC Football Spring Preview: 10 biggest questions and storylines

By Patrick Schmidt

Sep 5, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Cooper Bateman (18) in game action against the Wisconsin Badgers at AT&T Stadium. Alabama won 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Cooper Bateman (18) in game action against the Wisconsin Badgers at AT&T Stadium. Alabama won 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) is congratulated by head coach Butch Jones and running back coach Robert Gillespie as he scores a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half in the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 45-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) is congratulated by head coach Butch Jones and running back coach Robert Gillespie as he scores a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half in the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 45-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Is Tennessee for real this time?

There were a lot of people drinking the orange Kool-aid last spring with Butch Jones’ Tennessee Volunteers having a roster full of young talent. The Vols finished 5-3 in the SEC to finish in second place in the division and a 9-4 overall record, but lost to Florida and Alabama, again.

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If Tennessee is ever going to be taken seriously as an SEC contender they have to beat their two biggest rivals otherwise they’ll be stuck in nine-win territory. That’s not terrible, but it’s not good enough considering the level they’ve recruited at and the winnability of the East. Fans expect to win the East this year and anything less is a disappointment.

At this point, Jones has proven to be a great recruiter, but he hasn’t proven he is a great coach at Tennessee. You can’t be great when you don’t beat your rivals. Beating Northwestern in the Outback Bowl doesn’t mean the Vols are back.

If Tennessee can snap their losing 11-game losing streak to the Gators or their nine-game streak vs. Alabama, Tennessee can take the East.

The biggest reason for optimism this spring is Tennessee has the division’s best quarterback in Dobbs, running back in Jalen Hurd and depth along the defensive line. All that (on paper) adds up to being the team to beat in the East.

Next: Who is the best new coach?

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