SEC Football 2008: University of Tennessee Preview

2008 Schedule

Date     Opponent

9-1        @ UCLA

9-13      UAB

9-20      Florida

9-27      @ Auburn

10-4      Northern Illinois

10-11    @ Georgia

10-18    Mississippi State

10-25    Alabama

11-1      @ South Carolina

11-8      Wyoming

11-22    @ Vanderbilt

11-29    Kentucky

Overview

Despite winning the SEC East in 2007, the Tennessee Volunteers are already being overlooked in 2008 for likely National Championship contenders and favorites, Georgia and Florida. 

Surprisingly, Coach Phillip Fulmer has a wealth of talent returning, despite losing senior quarterback Erik Ainge to the NFL.  With the amount of talent the Volunteers have on their roster, underestimating Tennessee in 2008 is a huge mistake.

The strength of the 2008 Volunteers appears to be the rushing game.  The Volunteers return with one of the best offensive lines in the country and their potential all-time rushing leader in Arian Foster. 

Foster is likely the most NFL-ready running back in the SEC, and if he remains healthy will likely break Tennessee’s career rushing record.  He should provide new quarterback Jonathan Crompton with plenty of confidence along with the talented receivers he will have at his disposal.

Defensively, the Volunteers return with one of the SEC’s best playmakers in Eric Berry.  On his way to winning multiple honors in his true freshman season, Berry recorded five interceptions and will be counted on to lead the 2008 defense along with returning linebacker Rico McCoy. 

If the Volunteers' defensive line can develop quickly in 2008, Tennessee could be a major player for the SEC East Title.