By Matt Smith
SouthernPigskin.com

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Matt Smith takes an in-depth look at the Tennessee Volunteers.

SEC Season Preview: Tennessee
Head Coach: Josh Heupel 3 first season at Tennessee; fourth season overall (28-8 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Alex Golesh (first season)
Defensive Coordinator: Tim Banks (first season)

2020 Recap: 3-7
The season started well for Tennessee, as the Vols won their first two games and led Georgia at halftime in Athens. It was all downhill after that, as Tennessee lost its next six games, the majority in blowout fashion. The Volunteers were at their worst in the third quarters, being outscored an unbelievable 79-7 in the third quarter during the six-game losing streak. Quarterback play was unsettled, and the Vols looked worn down. After an in-house investigation, Jeremy Pruitt was fired after three seasons. Josh Heupel arrives from UCF with a potent offensive scheme but a ton of questions to sort through.

2021 Schedule
Sept. 2 3 BOWLING GREEN (8 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
Sept. 11 3 PITTSBURGH (Noon ET, ESPN)
Sept. 18 3 TENNESSEE TECH (Noon ET, ESPN+)
Sept. 25 3 at Florida
Oct. 2 3 at Missouri
Oct. 9 3 SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 16 3 OLE MISS
Oct. 23 3 at Alabama
Nov. 6 3 at Kentucky
Nov. 13 3 GEORGIA
Nov. 20 3 SOUTH ALABAMA
Nov. 27 3 VANDERBILT

Under Center
Tennessee added two transfer quarterbacks and lost two to the portal. Joe Milton started the season for Michigan last season, but ultimately lost his job despite a great debut. Hendon Hooker was the primary starter at Virginia Tech last season, but also opted for a fresh start. The two newcomers will battle junior Brian Maurer and sophomore Harrison Bailey for the starting role.

This job is hard to handicap. All four have started games, but obviously none have any familiarity with Heupels offense. Hooker is the best overall player, but adding Milton late in the offseason probably wasnt done with the idea that he wouldnt be a leading contender to start. Bailey was recruited to a different system, but is talented enough to thrive with Heupel. It seems unlikely that any one quarterback, even if healthy, will start all 12 games.

In The Trenches
Losses are severe on both sides of the ball. The Vols lose essentially 3.5 starters from the offensive line, most notably four-year starter Trey Smith and former 5-star recruit Wanya Morris, who transferred to Oklahoma. The tackle situation looks pretty solid with high-pedigree players on both sides in Cade Mays and Darnell Wright, but the interior is a mess. Theyll be blocking for a young running back group, which also lost its top two contributors to the transfer portal. JUCO transfer Tiyon Evans could be the opening-day starter.

Defensively, the line looked OK, at least at the top of the depth chart, but starting end Darel Middleton entered the transfer portal in June. Theres very little at end, but the Vols do have two experienced defensive tackles in Matthew Butler and Aubrey Solomon. The linebacker room is pretty thin with star Henry Too Too now at Alabama after leading the 2020 Vols in tackles.

On The Edge
Wide receiver is probably the strength of the offense, with senior Velus Jones leading the way as a likely team captain and an opportunity to thrive in Heupels offense. JaVonta Payton was a nice addition out of the transfer portal from Mississippi State. Like most of the roster, this group doesnt bring much experience, but there are enough pieces that they could thrive in this system with decent quarterback play.

The secondary is the lone group that has experience across the board. Cornerback Alontae Taylor and safeties Jaylen McCullough and Trevon Flowers both have at least 10 career starts, with Taylor closing in on 20. Turnovers were non-existent in 2020, as Tennessee registered just five interceptions all season. Expect a more aggressive approach under new coordinator Tim Banks, a former Penn State assistant, which is generally the best pairing for a fast offense. Either make a play, or allow a score and get the offense back on the field.

Ranking The Units
1. Defensive Backs
2. Receivers
3. Defensive Line
4. Quarterbacks
5. Offensive Line
6. Running Backs
7. Linebackers

Schedule Analysis
SEC Rank: 8
National Rank: 36
Tennessee is the only Power Five team to play eight home games, so despite the usual rigor of Alabama, Florida and Georgia, there are plenty of opportunities for wins on this schedule. The only non-conference game that could be a problem is against Pittsburgh, which could make the difference between a bowl game or not. Getting both South Carolina and Vanderbilt at home is also a boost to bowl chances. Ole Miss is the rotating game, bringing Lane Kiffin back to Knoxville for the first time as a head coach.

Season Prediction
Tennessee should strive to be 2020 Ole Miss 3 a fun team that finds itself in a lot of shootouts. Im not sure the quarterback situation will allow for as much excitement as the Rebels provided a year ago, but there will be some high-scoring affairs that keep viewers dialed in. A Week 2 loss to Pittsburgh will keep the Vols out of the postseason, but Tennessee will register a pair of SEC wins against South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

If theres a chance for an upset, its probably in November at Kentucky. If the offense is starting to click, the Wildcats may not be able to keep up, and the Vols have only lost twice in Lexington since 1984. Theres no pressure on Heupel this year, so barring a 3-9 disaster, few judgements will be passed before 2022.

Record: 5-7 (2-6 SEC)
CFP Ranking: NR
Bowl: None