Tennessee Football Will Win SEC East In 2016

Is it too early to start making predictions for 2016 fall season? If so, too bad. Let’s start the Tennessee hype as next year’s SEC East champion. Granted, the Vols didn’t have an auspicious start to the 2015 football season. They began 2015 at 3-4, which doesn’t sound great until you realize that all four losses were by less than a touchdown. They also were one of the few teams this year that gave Alabama a scare.

After a bumpy start, the Vols won five games in a row. The only SEC team that had a longer winning streak this season is Alabama. They finished out the 2015 season with six straight wins; and this year was the Vols’ first season with more than eight wins since 2007. Then they went to Tampa and embarrassed No. 13-ranked Northwestern in the Outback Bowl. If they continue with this momentum, look for Tennessee to make that trip to Atlanta in 2016.

Detractors of the program point out that Tennessee has had this kind of buildup before and has disappointed each time. In 2005, the Vols started the season ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll but failed to become bowl eligible after a dismal 5-6 season. In 2012 they ended the season 5-7 under coach Derek Dooley, a finish that cost the coach his job. Yet don’t let history fool you — this team is primed and ready for success.

The Vols will return 17 of their starters, so they will have a great deal of experience and talent on their roster. They have an impressive QB in Joshua Dobbs and one of the best DEs in the country in Derek Barnett. They have also recruited aggressively and landed the No. 2-ranked class in the conference. Georgia and South Carolina will have growing pains as they break in new coaches. Florida lost QB Will Grier and had several of their most talented defensive players declare early. Both the Bulldogs and Gators also have serious issues at the quarterback position that will need to be resolved if they hope to succeed next year.

The Vols have improved every year, so it is feasible to expect a 10 or 11-win season in 2016. Despite past history, 2016 may be the year of the Volunteer.