5 Way-Too-Early Predictions For Tennessee Football In 2016

By Taylor Sturm

5 Way-Too-Early Predictions For Tennessee Football In 2016

Butch Jones Tennessee Football — The Tennessee Volunteers absolutely demolished the Northwestern Wildcats in the Outback Bowl, and will head into 2016 with extremely high expectations. Here are five way-too-early predictions for the Vols in 2016.

5. Jalen Hurd Continues to Dominate

Jalen Hurd Tennessee Vols

5. Jalen Hurd Continues to Dominate

Jalen Hurd Tennessee Vols — If you couldn’t tell by the multiple viral videos of his vicious stiff arm on a Northwestern player, Jalen Hurd is the real deal. With a veteran offensive line, Josh Dobbs and Alvin Kamara likely leaving for the NFL, and multiple highly touted receivers on the outside, Hurd will do enough in 2016 to lead his team to victory and show that he deserves to play.

4. Defense, Special Teams Win Games, Not Offense

Evan Berry Tennessee Vols

4. Defense, Special Teams Win Games, Not Offense

Evan Berry Tennessee Vols — Say what you want about Hurd, Dobbs and Co. next season, but the Vols’ defense is absolutely lethal and has the potential to be one of the best in college football. Veteran players are mixed in with multiple five-star recruits, some of whom have yet to even make an impact. Oh, and don’t forget about Tennessee’s special teams, which might already be the best in the country and definitely have the best returner in the country, Evan Berry.

3. Tennessee Wins the SEC East Easily

Josh Dobbs Tennessee

3. Tennessee Wins the SEC East Easily

Josh Dobbs Tennessee — Tennessee returns the most experienced quarterback in the SEC East, and should easily finish with a better conference record than their competition. A home game against Derrick Henry-less Alabama looks to be the only toss-up game on the Vols’ 2016 schedule. They also have a road game against Texas A&M, but both of these teams are from the SEC West. Florida and Georgia back-to-back will be difficult, but each has its weakness.

2. Vols Lose SEC Championship Game to Ole Miss

Alvin Kamara Tennessee Vols

2. Vols Lose SEC Championship Game to Ole Miss

Alvin Kamara Tennessee Vols — This is where I’m bringing it all back to reality. The Vols are going to be a great team next season, but Josh Dobbs has yet to show he can throw the ball consistently and more importantly, the receivers have yet to show that they can make big plays when needed. Ole Miss’ Chad Kelly is the best returning quarterback in the SEC, and I think the Rebels will get the better of the Vols in Atlanta and go to the College Football Playoff.

1. New Year’s Six Bowl Game

Josh Dobbs Run

1. New Year’s Six Bowl Game

Josh Dobbs Run — Look, I would love for Tennessee to make it to the national championship game. I would love for Tennessee to go undefeated in 2016 and be considered one of the greatest teams of all time. I am an alumnus, after all. However, the Vols are not ready to win it all just yet. Is a trip to a New Year’s Six bowl a failure after everything Tennessee’s been through over the past decade or so?

Taylor Sturm is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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