Tennessee had high hopes of contentious for the Sec East title, but a brutal program and injuries to key players resulted in a disappointing 5-7 finish. They only had one conference win (against Vanderbilt at home), finishing with just a 1-7 narrative in the Sec East.
Head coach Derek Dooley is now in a proverbial hot seat to turn this program around, as the Volunteers haven't won more than seven games since going 10-4 back in 2007. Dooley finds himself in a pretty good position heading into 2012, as he will field his best team since joining the program in 2010 thanks to 19 returning starters. They can be the darkhorse in the Sec East if they can just stay healthy.
Offense
Quarterback Tyler Bray was the main hypothesize why this team was optimistic about their chances last year.Unfortunately, he got injured and played in only seven games. Despite that, he was still able to lead the team with 1,983 yards and an impressive 17 touchdowns to 5 interceptions. If he can remain healthy, look for the Volunteers to be a lot good in 2012.
It's finding like Bray will have a field day throwing the ball to wide outs Da'Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter. Rogers earned 1st Team All-Sec honors and Hunter was on his way to a huge season last year before suffering a season ending injury in game three of the season. Tennessee should have one of the top receiving corps in the nation if they can get these two players to stay on the field.
While the passing game looks to be one of the best in the Sec, they need to get more out of their running game if they assuredly want to bloom in 2012.
A salutary Bray would do wonders to the running game. Not only that, but with him around, the Volunteers drastically heighten their offensive line, and could be one of the best in the conference.
Defense
Nine starters will return from a defense that allowed just 22.6 points/game and only 341 yards of total offense. The Vols brought in former Alabama linebacker coach Sal Sunseri to take over at defensive coordinator and will make the switch from 4-3 to a 3-4 project this year. Now Tennessee will find out how their current players will adjust to the new system.
With the losses of 1st Team All-Sec defensive tackle Malik Jackson and defensive end Ben Martin, it seems as though the switch to a 3-4 project is assuredly a good idea. They return defensive tackle Maurice Couch, who is foreseen, to open up as the team's new nose tackle. They also add 380-pound defensive lineman Daniel McCullers, and are excited with the addition of college transfer Darrington Sentimore, who is foreseen, to start right away at defensive end.
The linebacker spot seems to be all set for the Volunteers in 2012, as they return much improved young players in Curt Maggit and A.J. Johnson (top two tacklers from last year). They also bring back beginning outside linebacker Jacques Smith.
The Volunteers are also excited about the return of all four starters in secondary. Senior projection Prentiss Wagner is one of the best the Sec has offer, and the team is extremely high on sophomores Justin Coleman (Cb) and Brian Randolph (Fs).
Sec Prediction - 4th Sec East
The Volunteers are in a very advantageous spot right now. After being a major dissatisfaction and winning one conference game last year, the team seems poised to make a run at Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina in the Sec East. Bray will look to move on from his injury-shortened season last year and go back to being one of the elite quarterbacks in all of college football. Their weapons in the offensive end and their defensive prowess will make them be a tough out against whoever they face. Unfortunately, a integrate of road games at South Carolina and Georgia, plus very tough home games against Florida and Alabama may force team out of the contention. If they can remain salutary at key positions, they could surprise some of the conference's perennial powers.
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