EXPECTATIONS
There’s no conversations being had about last season in Knoxville, with all the focus shifted toward 2019. The Volunteers believe they can compete with – and beat – anybody, which should be the expectation for any team in any game, with the word “confidence” being tossed around a lot. The reality is that the Vols’ primary focus should be obtaining bowl eligibility, which has not happened four times this decade. With a full recruiting cycle behind him and a quality class in place, the 2019 team could be the one that sets the foundation for what coach Jeremy Pruitt wants this program to be moving forward.
CONCERNS
There’s only belief that the offensive line is better; there is no proof yet. And that was a bad unit a year ago. It’s been bolstered by a quality recruiting class with four players, and further bolstering the unit could be the return of junior Trey Smith, who has been battling blood clots but is determined to play. Also, the loss of Emmit Gooden and the pending eligibility questions surrounding Michigan transfer Aubrey Solomon have left a lot of uncertainty around the defensive line, a group that returns little in the way of experience.
WHAT’S NEW