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SEC Power Rankings: No quarterback, no problem for Alabama?

By Hunter Kinniburgh

Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) breaks a tackle by Auburn Tigers defensive back Jonathan Jones (3) during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) breaks a tackle by Auburn Tigers defensive back Jonathan Jones (3) during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) passes the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) passes the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
  • 2015 Record:  9-4, 5-3 (SEC)
  • Season Opener: Sept. 3 vs. Appalachian State

Is Tennessee finally back? They certainly have the talent on both sides of the ball to be an incredible team. Time will tell if they will live up to the pressure that has been put on this team all throughout the offseason.

Head coach Butch Jones has steadily built up the Volunteer program since his arrival. Many thought Tennessee would be back on the national stage last season but early losses to Oklahoma and Florida essentially derailed the possibility of Tennessee being relevant on a national level in 2015. 2016 has a different feel for the Vols, they are a much more experienced team, for the most part, and the rest of their division has questions at key positions where the Vols do not.

Related Story: 25 breakout players of 2016

The key to Vols will be Josh Dobbs and Jalen Hurd on offense. As they go so to will the Volunteers. Dobbs is without a doubt the second-best quarterback in the conference and Hurd is one of the top running backs in the league. The biggest pitfall for the offense is the lack of experience at receiver. Dobbs can get them the ball and his talent should make them better but Tennessee does not have a true stud at receiver.

The Volunteer defense returns nine starters from 2015 and will be led by linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, lineman Derek Barnett and corner Cameron Sutton. The Vols will have a very experienced and stingy defense that will not give up lots of points to opposing offenses.

Tennessee looks primed to win the SEC East, the question will be how well they can hang with the West division teams like Alabama.

Next: No. 3 LSU Tigers

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