2009 SEC Preview: Tennessee Volunteers

The Vols enter 2009 in rebuilding mode, but don't tell new Head Coach Lane Kiffin that.

Kiffin has already done enough talking to fire up most coaches in the league, now comes time to do the talking on the field.

Goal number one, find a quarterback, and fast. BJ Coleman was the most impressive during spring practice, but has since transferred when he said he wasn't in the Vols plans for the future.

There's no doubt, the goals for any Tennessee team are make a bowl game at the very least, and it won't be any different for Lane Kiffin, even in his first year.

Three easiest games

1. Western Kentucky 9/5
2. Ohio University 9/26
3. Memphis 11/7

Last year, the Vols got off to a bad start by blowing a lead at UCLA and losing that game. That game sent hints of what was to come with an anemic offense and no quarterback to lead the team.

This year those three games should be easy wins, and with two of them in September, the Vols should get some early season confidence before the heart of SEC play.

Three hardest games

1. at Florida 9/19
2. at Alabama 10/24
3. Georgia 10/10

If the Bulldogs don't find an adequate replacement for Matt Stafford, there's a chance the Vols could pull an upset at home in early October. The other two games mentioned are already rivalry games, but Kiffin has made them even more intriguing.

Kiffin took shots at both schools in the offseason, and now has to make road trips to both places. The Alabama game should be a good defensive, hard hitting game. Meanwhile, Urban Meyer WILL try and run the score up on Kiffin, no doubt about it.

Top Offensive and Defensive Players

Offense: Gerald Jones, Wide Receiver, Junior

Jones racked up almost 500 yards of offense last season and five touchdowns. The offense was a mess with no quarterback to get him the ball, but Jones found ways to make plays, including playing the quarterback in the Wildcat formation. He's the best athlete on the team next to Eric Berry.

Defense: Eric Berry, Safety, Junior

This super safety had over 70 tackles and three sacks last season, but even more impressive were his seven interceptions returned for two touchdowns, and a total of 265 return yards last season.

There isn't a better safety in the nation, and only USC's Taylor Mays is in the same ballpark. Watch him while you can, this junior may be off to the NFL after this season.

2009 Breakout Player

Chris Walker, Defensive End, Junior

This 6'3 240 pound end may be on the small side, but he's ultra quick and dominated during the spring. He had three sacks last season in a backup role, think Dwight Freeney type player.

No. 1 Strength and Concern

Strength: Defensive Backs

The strength for the Vols will of course be their secondary. Even with the dismissal of Demetrice Morley from the team, having Eric Berry back there is plenty, but Art Evans, Rod Wilks, and Dennis Rogan will make the secondary a strong unit.

Concern: Quarterback

The main concern is still the quarterback. It looks like Jonathan Crompton will emerge as the starter, especially with Coleman transferring, but no Vol could do anything well under center last year. Tennessee will not be a threat on offense until they get better QB play.

2009 will be successful if?

For this season to be a success the offense is going to have to be much better than 115th in the country. The defense will be there with Berry and senior linebacker Rico McCoy, but if Tennessee can't score it will be another long year.

As far as records go, 8-4 would be a success after a 5-7 season a year ago, and that would mean a New Year's Bowl game.

For Vols fans though, if they can win over Alabama, Florida, or Georgia, that would be icing on the cake. One Vol fan told me, "remember, Saban went 6-6 in his first year, so we have to be better than that."