Top 25 countdown: No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers
You can order Tennesse Volunteers Football tickets for all Home and Away games.
The Volunteers are slated to make a big run this year for the BCS National Championship.You can now order your tickets for all bowl games including
Pasadena Rose Bowl tickets as well as
Orange Bowl tickets.
Big Orange country has its share of impatient fans who are quick to point out that Phillip Fulmer hasn't won an SEC title since 1998. That streak has little chance of ending in 2007 unless playmakers emerge at receiver and on the defensive line. There are many challenges but perhaps none bigger than surviving September. The Vols open at California and two weeks later play against Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators. OFFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY
The Tennessee Volunteers seek balance in a scheme that has remained basically unchanged since the early 1980s. But the failure to run the ball with authority the past several years has put undue emphasis on the passing game. Tennessee hit a low by rushing for only 108 yards per game last year. The fullback position essentially has been abandoned in favor of a tight end/H-Back alignment. The Vols might be more serious about going no-huddle in some situations; they devoted a decent amount of time to it during the spring. SKILL POSITIONS
Erik Ainge can be as good as any quarterback in the SEC. His arm is terrific and his confidence was restored by the return of offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe last year. Erik Ainge missed most of the spring after surgery on his right knee, but he is expected to be fine. The bad news is that his top three receivers are gone and their replacements do not inspire accolades. Lucas Taylor, Quintin Hancock and Austin Rogers will have to fend off touted newcomers Kenny O'Neal, Gerald Jones and Ahmad Paige. Which means this could be a banner year for the tight ends -- reliable Chris Brown and bookend 6-8 brothers Brad and Jeff Cottam. The running game should be a strength. LaMarcus Coker, Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty are competing to get the most carries, and each has produced at times. Coker (6.4 yards per carry) is the one who can go the distance. OFFENSIVE LINE
Line play has been disappointing for several years, and the loss of star tackle Arron Sears only complicates matters. Josh McNeil, who started as a redshirt freshman at center, could be a future star when he gets stronger. Eric Young figures to start at right tackle or replace Sears on the left side. The other jobs will be decided among Jacques McClendon, Chris Scott, Ramon Foster, Ramone Johnson, Anthony Parker and Vladimir Richard. That's the group Fulmer hopes can return some muscle to a stagnant running game. DEFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY
Tennessee has played a 4-3 for the past two decades, but coordinator John Chavis looked at a 3-4 in the spring, which speaks to concerns about the lack of quality tackles. Whether the Vols actually use the 3-4 could depend on development of the tackles, but there's plenty of depth and quality at linebacker if they choose to do so. FRONT SEVEN
Linebackers Jerod Mayo, Rico McCoy and Ryan Karl form the backbone of the defense, and Ellix Wilson could start in a 3-4 alignment. Mayo has all-conference skills and will play inside. McCoy, a future star, and the hard-nosed Karl flank Mayo on the outside. Up front is where the Vols have to get better -- they recorded only 17 sacks last year. Xavier Mitchell is a top-shelf end, but the other end figures to be Antonio Reynolds or Robert Ayers, and neither is a difference-maker. Demonte' Bolden has yet to fulfill his vast promise at tackle, and J.T. Mapu, who wasn't much of a factor last season after a two-year Mormon mission, hopes to return to form. Several true freshman tackles have a chance to avoid redshirts. SECONDARY
Jonathan Hefney, an all-conference performer last season at free safety, also can play corner. Too bad he can't play both positions at once because the Vols have to replace three other starters. Marsalous Johnson had a strong spring to win one of the corner spots. Safety Jarod Parrish and corner Antonio Gaines also have a chance to win starting jobs. Don't count out true freshman corners Eric Berry and Art Evans or junior college transfer DeAngelo Willingham. This unit could be a strength in time. SPECIAL TEAMS
The legacy lives on with Britton Colquitt, who follows dad Craig, cousin Jimmy and brother Dustin as great Tennessee punters. Britton has a special leg and improved his average to 44.9 yards last year as a sophomore. Coaches hope he won't have to wear his leg out by adding kicking duties. James Wilhoit is gone, and redshirt freshman Daniel Lincoln has yet to inspire confidence. Hefney is an excellent punt return threat, but don't expect much out of a kickoff return unit that has been dormant for years. COACHING STAFF
After making changes a year ago, the Vols stood pat for 2007. Fulmer's career numbers are impressive, but fans are becoming increasingly disenchanted with recent results. An eight- or nine-win season would only fuel talk about a coaching change. See More
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