Tennessee Football: A Complete Look at the 2012 Volunteers Schedule

The SEC released its 2012 schedule for its teams and Tennessee was certainly spared when it came to in-conference play. No LSU, no Arkansas and eight home games.

Expectations are high for next season considering how disappointing Tennessee was this year. I don't need to go into the embarrassing moments because they still linger in the minds of Tennessee fans. 2012 is already looking like an improvement.

In this slideshow, I will give an analysis of every game and predict either a win or a loss. I am putting my bias aside and realistically looking at what the Volunteers can achieve. Without further ado, I give you the 2012 Volunteers schedule.

Week 1: NC State Wolfpack

In simple terms, the Wolfpack are middle of the pack. They finished seventh in the ACC with an 8-5 record after some good games, like dominating Clemson, but also some atrocious games, like getting crushed by Cincinnati.

In case you forgot, it was the Cincinnati team that Tennessee beat, 45-23.

The Wolfpack don't excel in any particular category stat wise. In fact, they're in the same boat with Tennessee's running game, finishing at 109th in rushing yards per game. 

NC State isn't set to really gain a good amount of players, nor are they set to lose a lot of players. The one area they maybe have an edge in would be experience, which could be a real factor. But other than that, there isn't much to fear this team for.

The talk of this opening game being a challenge for Tennessee is overblown. I think NC State puts up a fight at first, but goes down easily. 

Result: Win 

Week 2: Georgia State Panthers

This will be a great relax game for Tennessee before they face the Florida Gators the next week. Georgia State is an FCS team, and a bad one at that.

Tennessee creamed Montana this year, and Montana almost made it to the FCS Championship. Georgia State went 3-8. I don't think that this needs any more discussion.

The only way Tennessee loses is if all the players somehow oversleep and don't show up to the game. Though I'm pretty sure Derek Dooley could put up some numbers against the Panthers.

Result: Win

Week 3: Florida Gators

The Gators are coming to town in Week 3, and you bet that the Vols are hungry for a win. The Gators have just come off a very mediocre 7-6 season that saw Charlie Weis leave for Kansas, QB turmoil and an embarrassing loss to FSU at the end of the season.

In other words, they kind of mirrored the Vols in some ways. Don't count out the Gators completely, though. They still have a lot of skill and are bringing in a great recruiting class. It is always a great game when these two meet up.

Florida's bright spot was their defense that allowed 20 points a game on average. Tennessee was able to put up 23 with a good passing game and non-existent run game, so the Vols are definitely able to exploit this defense.

If there was any year to beat the Gators, it is this one. Florida has a really young team that, while talented, is inexperienced and will be prone to mistakes due to their youth and change in coaching. Tennessee returns a lot of starters this year and will finally look to get the upper hand in experience.

I think the Tennessee ends the shadow put over them this year. Tennessee will be more balanced than last year and will certainly have more experience, which was the spot that killed them during the season. This game is in Neyland, so you know that the Vols fans will be the rowdiest they've been in a long time.

Result: Win

Week 4: Akron Zips

Yet another melting creampuff that Tennessee somehow convinced to play them. Akron is an MAC team that finished dead last in their conference with one win.

This will be a welcome week to review the Florida game regardless of outcome and see what Tennessee can review on. Akron will help Tennessee put some new ideas and plays to the test and see what will work.

Tennessee should win this game with their backups blindfolded.

Result: Win

Week 5: At Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia started 2011 disappointed and ended it the same way. While they did have good times, like getting to the SEC Championship, their loss to Michigan State was a blow to their psyche after so many good games.

Aaron Murray will be returning and will be dangerous like he always is. Isaiah Crowell was the breakout freshman of last year and will look to improve on his monstrous season in 2012. This Georgia offense will not lose any steam, so the Vols defense needs to be at the top of its game. Tennessee held them to 20 points last year in a narrow loss, which was looked at as an achievement. 

The roadblock for Tennessee in this game will be the Bulldogs defense. Georgia ranked fifth in the nation in total defense and will lose very few starters. If Tennessee expects to beat this Georgia this year, they'll need to have a run game and stop being so one-dimensional.

Unfortunately, I think this is the game that will end Tennessee's four-game win streak. Georgia is an overall more rounded team than the Vols. This is also at Georgia, which will give the Dawgs an advantage. 

Result: Loss

Week 6: Bye

Vols fans will miss football during the bye, but fear not! There are many different things that you can do to entertain yourself. The MLB expands into October, so have fun cheering on your team!

If you're really missing Tennessee football, watch some old school footage of classic games like the '98 season. Share personal stories about your favorite Tennessee win. Do anything Vol related.

My personal favorite were either the '98 or '04 wins over the Gators. Last-second field goals decided the game and caused my voice to be lost for a couple of days. Ah, the memories!

Result: Fun/Relaxation

Week 7: At Mississippi State Bulldogs

If you could believe it, Mississippi State was ranked in the top 25 to begin the year. That soon came tumbling down, as they suffered a 2-3 start with close losses to Auburn and LSU. A 7-6 season with a win in the Music City Bowl was not what they expected.

When you look at this team's defense, it really boggles the mind how they could finish so poorly. They were ranked in the top 20 in points allowed with a good pass defense. Then, you look at their offensive production against SEC teams and you realize why they lost.

The Bulldogs don't have an explosive offense, and that is what has killed them this season. Tennessee should be able to contain them and keep the affair low scoring. The problem is that Tennessee needs to create a running game, because they might not be able to pass effectively on the Mississippi State defense.

I like the Vols in a low-scoring affair. The defenses will slug it out for a while until Tennessee surges ahead to win in the last couple of quarters.

Result: Win

Week 8: Alabama Crimson Tide

The third Saturday in October arrives once again. This rivalry has definitely been one of those topsy-turvy ones where one team is very good while the other is on a rebuilding era. This has been the case of the UT-Alabama rivalry for about five years now. I think you know which team is on which side.

Alabama will be losing some talent on the defensive side with Dre Kirkpatrick and Dont'a Hightower leaving, which is a big hit to their secondary and linebacker units. That doesn't mean much, though, because Alabama is a very well-rounded defensive team. They have tons of talent, and it shows when you look at their defense, which is arguably one of the best in the BCS era.

Their offense is losing the monster known as Trent Richardson, who might be a better prospect than fellow Alabama running back Mark Ingram was.

Don't count out Eddie Lacy, though. He is one of the most overlooked backups in the country, and since he will now be the starter, he will explode onto the national scene. 

A.J. McCarron was surprisingly better than expected for Alabama. If Alabama can utilize him, he would give the Tide offense a whole new layer.

I can't see Tennessee winning this one. I know the game is in Neyland, but that is probably the only advantage the Vols will have. Tennessee just simply can't match up in skill or experience. This will be a lot better game in a few years, but for now, just sit back and hope for a giant upset.

Result: Loss

Week 9: At South Carolina Gamecocks

Despite everything that happened with South Carolina this year (losing Marcus Lattimore, Stephen Garcia getting kicked off the team), they managed an impressive 11-2 record with a win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl. 

Defense is what really kept the Gamecocks in the hunt for the SEC East. They will lose play makers like Melvin Ingram, but they have people like Jadeveon Clowney that have had tremendous years as freshmen. The Gamecocks ranked 2nd in pass defense, which will not bode well for the Vols if they haven't expanded their offense by the time this game rolls around.

There is one name you will need to know for this South Carolina offense: Marcus Lattimore. If he stays healthy, he is in serious contention for the Heisman. He is a very well rounded running back that will be one of the top picks, if not the top pick in the NFL draft next year. 

That isn't to take anything away from Connor Shaw and his talents, though. After Garcia screwed up, Shaw had to go in and try to take the reigns of the South Carolina offense. He did that and then some. Not only has he been a good QB, he is the second-leading rusher on the team with eight rushing touchdowns. It will hurt losing Alshon Jeffery, but Shaw should still be able to pass effectively.

I know it will be disappointing to lose two in a row, but that is probably what is going to happen. This South Carolina team is extremely balanced and has great players in key positions. It will be a mid-range scoring affair, but Lattimore's massive running will carry the Gamecocks to victory.

Result: Loss

Week 10: Troy Trojans

Tennessee would have probably scheduled six of these type games had there not been a conference game minimum. This will probably be the bowl eligibility game. Troy is a 3-9 Sun Belt team...there isn't much need to explain anything else.

At this point, Tennessee should be able to clearly see what their strengths are and what they need to work on. Hopefully the pass offense will be at their usual high gear and the running game will finally make a difference.

The defense needs to be better than it was last year if they want to stop some of the high-powered offenses that they will face. Hopefully, the defensive holes will be filled and hardened by now.

Tennessee can only lose if a washing machine malfunction causes jerseys to be shredded, therefore not allowing the players to enter the game. Once again, the odds are against that.

Result: Win

Week 11: Missouri Tigers

Now, this is where it'll get interesting. The Missouri Tigers are the newcomer of the SEC East that has high hopes. Some are talking about winning the division, but those people are ridiculous. Missouri is a good team, but it will be their first year in the SEC. Big 12 football isn't the same as SEC football.

Offensively, the Tigers have two weapons in James Franklin and Henry Josey. While it is only two players, they can make it seem like there are 10 of them. Franklin is a great dual threat QB, and Josey is an explosive running back that averaged almost 8.1 yards a carry. Tennessee's defense will have their work cut out for them.

The defense for the Tigers allowed 23.5 points a game, which is not that bad, though teams like Iowa State and Kansas aren't exactly the offensive powerhouses. Against better-than-average pass teams, the Missouri defense was clobbered. Tennessee should hit the air early to get a lead on the Tigers should it be an offensive shootout.

Tennessee will come into this game a little relaxed at first, but that will stop once the offenses start going. Tennessee wins, but only by a slim margin in a high-scoring game.

Result: Win

Week 12: At Vanderbilt Commodores

The old 'Dores are going to get rowdy when Tennessee goes into their stadium. Tennessee edged them out last year by a 90-yard overtime interception return. Vols fans breathed a sigh of relief, but we all know how close we came to losing to Vanderbilt.

Jordan Rogers and Zac Stacy are both returning and are the only two worth mentioning for this offense. Rogers didn't even have that good of a year, but he showed promise as a skilled QB. Stacy will continue to turn heads as a good running back in 2012.

The defense for the Commodores was shockingly good. They were ranked 29th in points allowed, which is pretty good for Vanderbilt. The problem is that they don't stand out in any particular category. Tennessee will be able to expose weak spots and score a lot of points on Vanderbilt.

Tennessee will show that 2011 was a fluke. The Commodores will not come that close to beating Tennessee again. The Vols win easily.

Result: Win

Week 13: Kentucky Wildcats

I still shudder when I think of the UT-UK game. I wasn't even born the last time Kentucky beat Tennessee, and I hope my children aren't either the next time it happens. 

This will not happen again. Tennessee will stop this streak at one. I feel sorry for the Kentucky team that has to walk into Neyland and play against a Vols team that will completely dismantle them.

Result: Win

Summary

With my calculations, Tennessee will finish at 9-3 next season after a huge turnaround. The Vols will have more experience and will hopefully not be as injury prone.

The skill is there. It just needs maturity and encouragement. Tennessee has definitely become more experienced and will hopefully use this talent to do a lot better than 2012.

We aren't ready to compete in the SEC East yet, but watch out in a couple of years. Like I said in articles before this one: The future is nothing but bright for the Tennessee Volunteers.