Tennessee Football: 4 Bold Predictions for Volunteers in SEC This Year

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Derek Dooley of the Tennessee Volunteers watches on against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Im

The Vols Will Surprise in 2011
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Football season is fully underway in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Derek Dooley’s team is looking to make major improvements in year two.

The talent is certainly there, but will it translate to wins on the field? This writer is willing to go out on a limb and say that it will.

The Vols have a big game coming up this Saturday against Cincinnati but what about afterwards, headed into the meat of the SEC schedule?

Tennessee Will Beat Florida

COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: Tyler Bray #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The Vols haven't beaten Florida since 2004 and haven't won in the Swamp since Casey Clausen was at quarterback in 2003.

However, this year that will all change.

Florida is a team in transition under coach Will Muschamp. Tennessee will be the new regime's first test, and Tyler Bray and company will be more than ready to spring the upset.

Tennessee Will Be 5-0 When They Play LSU

Tennessee will be ranked for the first time since 2008 and undefeated when LSU comes calling to Neyland Stadium.

Not willing to predict a win over the Bayou Bengals just yet even though a much weaker Tennessee team gave them all they could handle last year in Baton Rouge.

The Vols will be coming off a wins over Buffalo and Georgia and will be in position to make a run at the SEC East title.

Tyler Bray Will Be the Best Quaterback in the SEC

First play.

The former elite-11 prospect Tyler Bray now has over a year of tutelage under Drew Brees former college offense coordinator, Jim Chaney, and it will show this year as his big arm will be able to often find a duo of very talented wide receivers, Justin Hunter and DaRick Rogers.

Also, protected by a much improved offensive line, Bray will have much time to dissect defenses.

Tennessee Will Win the East

2004 Intro

You heard it here first. South Carolina may be the odds on favorites and most talented team in the East, but things have a funny way of shaking out sometimes in the SEC.

No team is immune to an upset, and the Vols have backed their way into an SEC Championship appearance before.

Also, second-year SEC coaches are on a heck of a run right now, no reason why it will stop.

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