Tennessee Football: 3 reasons the Volunteers will struggle in 2020

1. The lack of proven linebackers

Tennessee lost a starting linebacker from last year, Daniel Bituli, and has very little to step up to replace him.

While the breakout season of freshman linebacker Henry To’o To’o was incredible, as he ended up leading the team in tackles, it’s still intimidating to think that Tennessee might not have someone who can step up in the middle, the heart of this defense, to lead the team and be that eraser.

One of the ways that a defense can mask the linebackers is a solid defensive line. Tennessee has a good defensive line, but it isn’t great. It might not even be in the top half of the SEC.

Tennessee’s secondary is better than it’s been in quite some time, but even then the Volunteers need the front to generate pressure, especially when Tennessee matches up with athletic skill position groups — like Florida or Alabama.

Quavaris Crouch is expected to fill the role, a sophomore linebacker prospect who totaled 28 tackles in 12 games last season and deflected two passes. If it’s not Crouch that stands out, more than likely it will be sophomore linebacker JJ Peterson, who has seen action in just seven games over the last two years and collected 12 tackles.

It’s hard to say what you can expect from this group.

Overall, the Volunteers have a competitive roster, but it’s hard to imagine looking at the schedule and seeing the team over .500 at the end of the year. They will be competitive, but are they truly ready to separate from the rest of the East?