For eight full months, the Tennessee Volunteers have heard the happy talk.
Last year’s frenetic offense headed by quarterback Hendon Hooker and receiver Cedric Tillman will be even better this season due to the comfort and familiarity that comes with experience. The erratic defense from a year ago is much deeper, with edge rusher Byron Young and inside linebacker Jeremy Banks another year older.
Sure, Alabama and Georgia aren’t going anywhere, but there is room for more upward movement for the Vols in the Southeastern Conference following last season’s 7-6 finish.
Tennessee players have heard those topics of conversation since walking off the field after their 48-45 overtime loss to Purdue in the Music City Bowl, but now they have a chance to do something about it. Their long-awaited 2022 season starts Thursday night against Ball State inside Neyland Stadium.
“There has been a lot of preseason talk and watch lists and rankings and predictions and everything like that,” fifth-year senior Jacob Warren said earlier this week. “Obviously that’s exciting, but what we’re here to do is play ball, and that’s what we get to do. We don’t have to play our teammates.