EXPECTATIONS
To have a group of individuals give consistent effort each and every day within the parameters of the culture that has been established for winning football at the University of Tennessee. That could pass for a Butch Jones answer to what the expectations are for the Volunteers this season, right? It’s a challenge to coax anything specific on the topic from the Vols’ fifth-year coach. But Jones did say at SEC media days in July that “there is still a lot we need to accomplish and a lot out there, being competitive in terms of championships.” A third consecutive 8-4 regular season is a reasonable expectation for this team.
CONCERNS
Staying healthy on the defensive line and at the offensive skill positions is essential for this team that replaces first-round NFL draft pick Derek Barnett at defensive end and three of its top five pass-catchers from 2016. Injuries decimated the Vols last year, and defensive line and wide receiver are two positions that can ill afford to lose their few proven veterans this year. Quarterback depth could become a concern, too, if the loser of the battle between Jarrett Guarantano and Quinten Dormady decides to transfer and the Vols are left with a true freshman as the backup.
WHAT’S NEW