By Matt Smith
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

Tennessee enters the 2016 campaign as the favorite to win the SEC East.

Head Coach: Butch Jones 3 fourth year at Tennessee; seventh year overall (71-44 overall, 10-14 SEC)

Offensive Coordinator: Mike DeBord (second season)

Defensive Coordinator: Bob Shoop (first season)

2015 Record: 9-4 (5-3 SEC); defeated Northwestern in Outback Bowl

Returning Starters: 17 (9 offense, 8 defense)

2016 Schedule

Sept. 1 3 APPALACHIAN STATE (7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
Sept. 10 3 vs. Virginia Tech (Bristol) (8 p.m. ET, ABC)
Sept. 17 3 OHIO (Noon ET, SEC Network)
Sept. 24 3 FLORIDA

Oct. 1 3 at Georgia
Oct. 8 3 at Texas A&M
Oct. 15 3 ALABAMA
Oct. 29 3 at South Carolina

Nov. 5 3 TENNESSEE TECH
Nov. 12 3 KENTUCKY
Nov. 19 3 MISSOURI
Nov. 26 3 at Vanderbilt

What We Know

– The Vols may have the best backfield in college football. Sure, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel at Georgia, and Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice at LSU are terrific duos, but add an above-average quarterback in Joshua Dobbs to tailbacks Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara, and Tennessees potential is through the roof. Kamara, a versatile back who excels as a receiver, could have left for the NFL after last season, but instead chose to return as the ideal complement to Hurds bruising style.

– The defense could have as many as three first-round NFL Draft picks. The best part for Tennessee is that there is a star at each level of the defense. Junior defensive end Derek Barnett followed up a 10-sack freshman season with another 10-sack campaign as a sophomore. Senior linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin led the team in tackles and was a second-team All-SEC selection. Like Reeves-Maybin, cornerback Cameron Sutton could have turned pro last season, but instead returned for his senior season. Not just a great cornerback, Sutton returned two punts for touchdowns last season, breaking the school record with 467 yards. New coordinator Bob Shoop promises more pressure after his Penn State defense produced a whopping 46 sacks last season.

– The Vols will have the better quarterback in every game it plays this season. Dobbs only takes a backseat to Ole Miss Chad Kelly among SEC signal-callers, but the Rebels arent on the schedule this year. Accuracy is Dobbs biggest issue, especially as games progress. He completed 64 percent of his passes in the first quarter last season, but declined in each quarter thereafter, completing just 23 of his 40 fourth-quarter attempts. That said, Dobbs is an asset in the running game, a good protector of the football (five interceptions last season), and a quality leader.

What We Dont Know

– Will Drew Richmond hold up at left tackle? Tennessee has four starters back on the offensive line, but is grooming a new left tackle in the redshirt freshman Richmond. Theres little question about Richmonds talent, but playing left tackle in the SEC requires a short memory, knowing some battles are going to be lost with the likes of Floridas CeCe Jefferson, Texas A&Ms Myles Garrett, and Alabamas Tim Williams on the schedule. Until Richmond actually plays a snap, the position remains a question.

– Will the safeties hold up? The Vols bid farewell to two players who logged a lot of snaps over the past four season in LaDarrell McNeil and Brian Randolph. Junior Todd Kelly started five games over the past two seasons, so hes not completely green. Rashaan Gaulden returns after missing all of 2015 with a broken foot and is expected to take over Randolphs strong safety role. Theres depth here, but little experience. The good news for Tennessee? Safety is the only position on the defense with any significant questions.

– Can Tennessee close the deal? Three times, the Vols let leads with three minutes to play disappear last season. The players played not to lose, and more importantly, the coaches coached not to lose. This team doesnt need to take its foot off the gas at any point. Tennessee has a better roster than 11 of its 12 opponents this season, and should play that way. The Vols played their best football after they fell behind Georgia by 21 points, ultimately rallying for a dramatic victory. Its on Jones to ensure his team plays that way regardless of how the scoreboard reads.

X-Factor

WR Preston Williams 3 Tennessee needs more from its passing game this season, and Williams is the best bet to become the teams best playmaker through the air. Josh Malone and Josh Smith are excellent No. 2 and No. 3 options, but Williams is a special talent despite catching just seven passes last season as a freshman. He doesnt yet have the rapport with Dobbs that the two upperclassmen have, but that should come with time. At 64d, Williams is also an asset in the red zone.

Ranking The Units

1. Running Backs

2. Defensive Line

3. Quarterbacks

4. Linebackers

5. Offensive Line

6. Wide Receivers

7. Defensive Backs

Season Prediction

This is the most talented team in the SEC East, and its going to win the SEC East. That said, it wont be all sunshine for the Volunteers. The Florida losing streak will finally end, but the Alabama streak will continue, capping a season-crushing three-game losing streak to start October. A trip to Atlanta for the first time in nine years will be a nice way to end the season, but with playoff hopes gone by midseason, Jones will still face some criticism for a seemingly failed opportunity.

Overall Record: 9-4

SEC Record: 5-3

Final CFP Ranking: 16

Bowl: Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa