Tennessee Football: Predicting the Volunteers' 2015 Win-Loss Record

It's been a long time since hype made the hike up Rocky Top, but the Tennessee Volunteers football team is a trendy pick to make noise in 2015's SEC East race.

To his credit, after two rebuilding seasons began to produce with a bowl run and victory last year, head coach Butch Jones isn't shying away from the expectations, telling The Daily Times' Grant Ramey, "That's where we want to be."

The Volunteers are not a finished product, however, and Jones also has spent several hundred breaths telling the media that, too.

This upcoming season features a schedule that again is riddled with roadblocks. Though things appear to loosen up on the schedule beginning next year (at least on paper), UT has plenty of tough battles in what is expected to be the beginning of a potentially special run in Knoxville.

Even so, the 2015 slate is navigable. The only true road games that look difficult are in Gainesville against the rebuilding Gators, at perennial powerhouse Alabama and against beast of the East Missouri.

All the other tough games—against Oklahoma, Arkansas, Georgia and South Carolina—are in the friendly confines of Neyland Stadium. So, since everybody has offered opinions on the Vols' records, Bleacher Report decided to do ours.

Let's take a fun future look at UT's schedule with some game-by-game predictions down to how it'll shake out on the field. 

Bowling Green (Sept. 5, Nashville)

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Gearing up for what's going to be a fun run for Bowling Green in the MAC, quarterback James Knapke and top target Roger Lewis will provide Tennessee with an excellent initial test at LP Field in Nashville.

After UAB shut its program down following 2014, the Vols had to search for an opponent and were able to make it work out with the Falcons. They'll get their $1.2 million worth for a while.

While UT works out some kinks with its youngsters, Bowling Green will score some first-half points. But the bottom line is the Falcons simply can't handle all UT's skill-position talent.

A rush defense that wound up 101st nationally a season ago will be gutted by Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara as the "Run CMG" boys both go over the century mark on the ground.

After an early BGSU score ties the game 7-7, Joshua Dobbs will hit a big pass downfield for the first of his four touchdowns, and the rout will be on.

The Falcons will tack on a late score to make things look a little more respectable, but the Big Orange hype train will roll out of Nashville at full-steam.

Vols 41, Bowling Green 17 (Record: 1-0)

Oklahoma (Sept. 12)

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Oklahoma makes its return trip to Knoxville after last season's 34-10 thumping of the Vols in Norman. While the Vols are poised to return the favor, this game is just in a tough spot of the season for UT.

The game could be pivotal. Win and it really could be a special year for the Vols. Lose and it sets up some really interesting matchups if UT is going to keep momentum going.

Neyland Stadium will flat-out be rocking for this game as the Vols come home ranked. But there are going to be some rocky moments as UT sorts out its battles on the defensive line interior and at middle linebacker.

Freshmen Kahlil McKenzie, Shy Tuttle and Darrin Kirkland grow up a lot as OU gashes Tennessee throughout the first half for big gains on the ground. Sophomore star Samaje Perine grinds out the tough yards, and redshirt freshman phenom Joe Mixon has a breakout game on the national stage to put the Sooners ahead.

Meanwhile, quarterback Baker Mayfield spends the first half executing new OU coordinator Lincoln Riley's high-octane offense to perfection in a mistake-free half.

The Vols will work out the kinks and force Mayfield into some second-half miscues, but the damage is done as they stare at a double-digit deficit at the half.

Though UT hangs tough with some offensive firepower of its own, Oklahoma's defensive pressure forces Joshua Dobbs into a late mistake, and OU leaves Knoxville with a series sweep in a close win.

The loss sets up Tennessee's game at Florida as an early-season crossroad.

Oklahoma 27, Vols 24 (Record: 1-1)

Western Carolina (Sept. 19)

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After a week's worth of Knoxville newspapers and radio stations wondering aloud if all the preseason hype was overblown, Tennessee will take out its frustration on a hapless Southern Conference team.

Last year, the Vols abused in-state Chattanooga from the SoCon, and the Catamounts won't pose nearly as big of a threat.

Joshua Dobbs will get the scoring going with a long touchdown run, and the passing game regains its edge after a tough week against the Sooners as Dobbs throws a couple of touchdown passes to build a huge lead.

He'll watch the second half after piling up 150 passing yards, 75 rushing yards and three scores as UT takes a 31-0 lead into the break. Backup Quinten Dormady then will lead a very vanilla offense in a second half that's devoid of much pizzazz as the starters rest before the big trip to Gainesville.

Dormady will, however, toss his first career scoring pass to Josh Smith as the sophomore looks completely healthy for the first time following season-ending ankle surgery in 2014.

For the first time of the year, the Vols' defense keeps its opponent out of the end zone, stopping a late fourth-quarter drive inside of the UT 20-yard line to preserve the touchdown-less game. That's as much drama as there'll be after halftime.

Momentum again wears orange as UT gets ready for the big annual battle against the Gators with a thorough pounding of its neighbor from across the Smokey Mountains.

Vols 48, Western Carolina 6 (Record: 2-1)

At Florida (Sept. 26)

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Much like the 1996 Alabama game, a pounding years in the making will commence in The Swamp in late September.

A Vols team that hasn't defeated Florida since 2004 will take out all its frustration from that streak and from an early-season setback to Oklahoma with a resounding thumping.

From the outset, UT's fearsome pass rush of Derek Barnett, Curt Maggitt and Kyle Phillips produces relentless pressure on the Gators' young signal-caller Will Grier. Even LaTroy Lewis and outside linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin get in on the action, forcing UF into three first-half miscues.

Unlike in '14, the Vols offense will turn those blunders into points. 

Though Vernon Hargreaves III and Florida's talented secondary keeps a lid on the big plays, all the holes in UF's front seven leave plenty of gaps for Alvin Kamara and Jalen Hurd.

The winner of the Tennessee-Florida game in recent years is normally the one that rushes for the most yards, and 2015 will be no different as UT piles up 230 yards on the ground.

With so much extra attention being placed on the middle of the field, Dobbs is able to make enough plays on the perimeter to keep a comfortable advantage.

Grier can't get anything mustered on offense after the break, and first-year UF coach Jim McElwain will turn to speedy Treon Harris to give the offense a second-half spark. Though he'll produce a touchdown, it'll be too late as the Vols march out of Florida with a season-turning win.

Vols 34, Florida 13 (Record: 3-1)

Arkansas (Oct. 3)

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Following a rousing victory over Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium, Arkansas rolls into Knoxville at 4-0 and ranked in the top 15.

All the pregame talk in the "Hype Bowl" is how the Hogs are a dark-horse SEC title contender. Though the Vols beat Florida soundly on the road, they'll find themselves barely outside the top 25 and home underdogs.

None of that matters as the two teams take turns pounding each other into submission on the ground. 

Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins march the Hogs downfield for two touchdown drives in the first quarter as they surge ahead 14-3. But a long passing play from Joshua Dobbs to Marquez North puts the Vols right back into the game before Cameron Sutton picks off Brandon Allen and takes it back for a touchdown.

That 17-14 lead holds into halftime, and Aaron Medley caps UT's initial second-half drive with a short field goal to push the lead to six 

After the Razorbacks turn a Pig Howard fumble into an Allen scoring pass, the Vols answer as Jalen Hurd stakes his claim as the best running back on the field. He caps off a run-heavy drive with a short scoring plunge to pull the Vols ahead 27-21 early in the fourth quarter.

Behind its league-best offensive line, Arkansas answers with a time-consuming, seemingly back-breaking drive that culminates with a Collins touchdown, and the extra point gives the Hogs a 28-27 lead with a little more than two minutes to play.

But Dobbs proves his mettle once again, evading pressure with his feet to complete two huge first-down passes in the two-minute drill. 

Tight end Ethan Wolf is Dobbs' primary target as the Vols move it closer, and with just a few remaining ticks on the clock, Medley boots a 38-yard field goal to give UT a huge home victory.

Vols 30, Arkansas 28 (Record: 4-1)

Georgia (Oct. 10)

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The good news is the Vols get to stay at home another week. The bad news is an emotional slobberknocker such as the win over Arkansas and the late-game heroics take a lot out of a team.

Though the Vols are desperate to end what has become a five-year reign for the Bulldogs, it'll have to wait one more season.

UGA comes into Neyland Stadium and extends the streak to six, breaking a 21-21-2 series tie with a defensive victory over the Vols. 

Again, much as it has been in recent years, it's a close game. But second-year UGA defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt has too many athletes who've thrived in his system for a long time, and UT's offensive line struggles against Leonard Floyd, Lorenzo Carter and Jordan Jenkins.

By this time, the nation's top two freshman defensive tackles—UT's Kahlil McKenzie and Georgia's Trent Thompson—are starting for their respective teams and wreaking havoc in the middle. McKenzie pressures Brice Ramsey throughout the game, forcing errant throws.

With added emphasis on UGA running back Nick Chubb, the sophomore star is held under 100 rushing yards.

But the biggest play comes from Thompson, who forces a second-half fumble that secures momentum for Georgia. Like they seem to do in recent years against Tennessee, the Bulldogs drive the length of the field late in the fourth quarter for the go-ahead touchdown.

Leaving Neyland Stadium with a victory, the Dawgs hold a firm advantage on the SEC East race.

Georgia 27, Vols 20 (Record: 4-2)

At Alabama (Oct. 24)

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With both teams sporting two losses heading into the famed "Third Saturday in October" game, this appears to be a chance for the Vols to stop an eight-loss streak.

They'll have to settle for just ending the Florida dominance for another year.

Alabama may be out of the national championship race, but the Crimson Tide still have plenty of playmakers. Derrick Henry has been a workhorse for UA much of the season, and it's no different this week in Tuscaloosa.

Though the Vols held Nick Chubb for the most part in check and are coming off a much-needed bye week, Bama's 6'3", 238-pound, truck-pushing running back rolls for three touchdowns and UT falls behind early.

Much like he did in his 2014 debut, however, Joshua Dobbs gives the Tide defense fits with his legs and his arm. He brings UT back in a clutch third quarter that pulls the Vols ahead.

Tennessee's defense rebounded well from the rough start, but after Bama ran so successfully throughout much of the game, senior safety LaDarrell McNeil gets sucked in on a play-action pass. ArDarius Stewart then beats Emmanuel Moseley in man coverage for a big gain down the sideline.

Henry's third touchdown comes late, and the Tide tack on another field goal to push the streak over the Vols to nine games.

Alabama 30, Vols 21 (Record: 4-3)

At Kentucky (Oct. 31)

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The meat of the schedule is now behind them, and the Vols are about to gear up for a November run. But first, they have to overcome a dicey trip to Lexington to play a Kentucky team that looks like it's going to make a bowl game.

Much like 29 of the past 30 years, Tennessee will find a way to win. But it won't be easy.

With much of his mistake-prone past behind him, UK quarterback Patrick Towles proves to be a formidable weapon who may just be the conference's top NFL prospect at his position. Between him and sophomore running back Boom Williams, the Wildcats have weapons.

So do the Vols, though. 

After a run where they've had to grind out any offense they could muster against quality defenses, the Vols find sledding a little easier through the air. Sophomore receiver Josh Malone begins to emerge as the weapon UT hoped he would be with a big game.

Kentucky's defense is deeper than it was a season ago, but it still can't throw waves of bodies to match UT's skill-position talent. The Vols need a couple of late scores to keep it from getting too interesting, but they leave Lexington and head back to Knoxville with a much-needed win.

Vols 37, Kentucky 24 (Record: 5-3)

South Carolina (Nov. 7)

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The momentum has shifted recently in the Tennessee-South Carolina series, and it doesn't appear to be turning the opposite direction anytime soon.

As a matter of fact, if anything, the Vols look poised to go from two ulcer-inducing victories the past two seasons to blowout territory in 2015.

After two tough weeks on the road, UT returns home to face South Carolina for the first time since losing to division foe Georgia back on Oct. 10. That's nearly a month since being in front of the home folks, and though fatigue is wearing on a young team, the Vols will find rejuvenation in front of a pumped-up crowd.

Despite all the personnel changes and new co-defensive coordinator John Hoke, this just isn't a very good Gamecocks team.

UT will get things going early on offense as Joshua Dobbs dissects a unit still looking for answers. Though this season has been full of Jalen Hurd highlights most of the year, this is Alvin Kamara's show. The ground attack sets the tone early, and Tennessee's defense is up to the challenge as well.

Playing its best game of the year to date, coordinator John Jancek's unit thrives. All the Vols' secondary has heard about all week is 2014's debacle where Carolina receiver Pharoh Cooper wound up with 233 yards on 11 catches.

Cameron Sutton and crew are up to the challenge this year, severely limiting Cooper's touches. South Carolina's offense suffers in its wake as the Vols roll.

Vols 33, South Carolina 13 (Record: 6-3)

North Texas (Nov. 14)

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Though it isn't a bye week, getting a late-season gimme game against North Texas is welcome, and it comes at a very important time.

With the Vols needing a break before a huge trip to Missouri that could define a memorable season, the Mean Green won't provide much of a challenge.

Joshua Dobbs plays just enough to stay sharp, but he gives way to Quinten Dormady, who gets his first extensive action since the Western Carolina game. A healthy dose of freshman running back John Kelly proves positive as he tacks on a pair of second-half touchdowns to pad a massive win.

Dormady makes a mistake and tosses his first interception of the year, but he also throws for a score and runs for one as Tennessee opens up the lead.

The Vols get the best of both worlds: They accumulate style points with a gaudy win, and they're able to play a lot of players and get their starters some much-needed rest.

Jalen Hurd reaches a milestone in the first quarter, going over the 1,000-yard mark, as he rests his legs for a pivotal game against the Tigers.

Vols 51, North Texas 0 (Record: 7-3)

At Missouri (Nov. 21)

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A season ago, it was the star Mizzou pass-rushing duo of Shane Ray and Markus Golden who dominated Tennessee and allowed the Tigers to eventually pull out a fourth-quarter victory over the Vols.

In a bit of poetic symmetry, 2015 belongs to Derek Barnett and Curt Maggitt.

The UT havoc-wreakers pummel the edges, keeping Tigers quarterback Maty Mauk rushing decisions all night. Though the junior has killed Tennessee in each of his first two seasons, he can't keep the ball out of the hands of the Vols tonight.

The Tigers have struggled all season to find viable targets for Mauk in a very green receiving corps, and the Vols' early-season struggles to fill defensive holes prove to be long in the past. 

With so much pressure being generated by UT's simple four-man rush, there's nowhere for Mauk to go.

On the other side, the Tigers defense is still strong, but Joshua Dobbs has much more time to throw than he did a season ago. With daylight, he meticulously dissects Mizzou for a big night through the air.

The Vols don't have to rely on the ground to attack an MU line that still features NFL prospect Josh Augusta on the interior. Dobbs is able to move the pocket, tuck it and get yards when needed, and the Vols grind out a win much the way the Tigers have done to them recently.

A late road win puts the Vols in a position to have an incredible season.

Vols 30, Mizzou 16 (Record: 8-3)

Vanderbilt (Nov. 28)

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Tennessee always must be on upset alert against Vanderbilt, simply because the Vols are normally the closest thing the Commodores get to the postseason.

That'll be the case again in 2015 as VU second-year coach Derek Mason wraps up a second dismal season in Neyland Stadium.

After the first half slogs to a near stop as UT seems to sleepwalk following its huge road win at Mizzou, the Vols will carry just a 13-3 lead into the break.

But an early forced turnover and a long Jalen Hurd touchdown run gets the crowd going in the third quarter, and the rout is on. A season after UT fans chewed their fingernails to nubs waiting for the Vols to secure a late win over VU to get to a bowl game, there'll be no such concern this year.

The first half belongs to Hurd, and the second half sees the passing game open up in what quickly becomes a lopsided victory.

There's no Patton Robinette to provide Vandy heroics this season, and Tennessee's defense closes the regular season with its fourth consecutive stellar performance to carry the Vols into a major bowl.

Coach Butch Jones leads UT to five consecutive wins to close the season, and it's a huge step in the right direction for the program.

The year-ending victory puts the Vols at 9-3, a final record that very easily could have them representing the SEC East in Atlanta, depending on how Georgia fares against West foes Alabama and Auburn.

Vols 34, Vanderbilt 6 (Record: 9-3)

All recruiting information obtained from 247Sports. All stats were gathered from CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted.

Brad Shepard covers SEC football and is the Tennessee lead writer for Bleacher Report. Follow Brad on Twitter @Brad_Shepard.