Tennessee Vols Preview

It's Friday and I'm continuing to reveal my SEC 2012 Power Rankings.

#12 Tennessee Vols

Derek Dooley is feeling his seat warm up maybe to an unbearable temperature as he enters his third season as the Vols head coach. What does Dooley have to do to keep his job? Win duh. I know its easier said than done, but if Dooley wins around 8 games and beats Vandy and Kentucky then I think his job will be safe for one more year. If Dooley wins only 6 or 7 and looses to Vandy or Kentucky then I think he might be shown the door. Tennessee is a proud winning program and won't put up with .500% for very long especially with all the other SEC teams pulling in national tile after national title.

So what will the Vols have to do in 2012 to get over that hump? Tyler Bray has the size (6'6" 210lbs) and he's now another year older; so it's time for him to take control of the Vols offence. Last season he was under 60% accuracy and threw under 2000 yards. In 2012 he will need to get above 60% and throw for close to 3000 yards to insure a good season. The rushing attack was also lacking in 2011 and with Poole gone it will now be in the hands of Marlin Lane who ran for only 280 yards on 75 carries. Last season the Vols were 27th in defence, which isn't horrible, but now they bring in first time defencive coordinator Sal Sunseri who will bring some Nick Saban characteristics with him. The up side is the Vols bring back 20 starters making them the most veteran team in the SEC.  

2012 returning starters:

Total 20

Offense 10

Defence 8

ST 2

365 Predictions

• VS NC State (Atlanta) ? W
• VS Georgia State W
• VS Florida ? W
• VS Akron W
• @ Georgia L
• @ Mississippi St ? L
• VS Alabama L
• @ South Carolina L
• VS Troy W
• VS Missouri L
• @ Vanderbilt ? L
• VS Kentucky W

L- Loose / W- Win / ?- Swing Game

I think Tennessee will go 6-6, but there are a lot of swing games: NC St, Florida, @ Miss St, @ Vandy. Are all winnable for the Vols, but I have them splitting it up and going 2-2. I'm not sure Dooley will be able to survive going 6-6 which puts a very high level of importance on these four games for him.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13