Music City Bowl 2010: Will Tennessee Ever Get Back to SEC Prominence?

Tennessee has had a few rough years.  The once dominant SEC program is now faced with winning or facing its first below .500 season since 2008.

Last season the Volunteers finished 7-6 and were expected to do great things in the future under Lane Kiffin.  When Kiffin left for the University of Southern California this summer, all of that changed.  They were left without a coach and with their future looking bleak. 

Tennessee enters the Music City Bowl with a record of 6-6 and will face the 7-6 North Carolina Tar Heels.

That leaves us the question, "Will Tennessee ever get back to SEC prominence?"

James Evens is a Purdue student and Basketball/Football Featured Columnist for the Boilermakers, along with being a Writing Intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.

Tyler Bray

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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)

Tyler Bray is currently the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers.  He earned the starting job after playing exceptionally well in the two quarterback system for a number of games, and beat out Matt Simms for the starting spot.

Bray, the 6'6", 210-pound freshman quarterback, is the future of the Volunteer program.

This season Bray has thrown for 1,537 yards for 14 touchdowns and only seven interceptions, while completing 54 percent of his passes.

Bray could be the next Peyton Manning, and will be excellent for the program in the next three seasons.

Newfound Stability (Hopefully)

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KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Coach Derek Dooley of the Tennessee Volunteers watches his team in action against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won 31-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Imag

Hopefully the Volunteers have found a coach who wants to be there.  They have Derek Dooley, who seems like the right man for the job.

If Dooley stays with the team, it could mean great success for the Volunteers.

Inheriting a team that many considered to be one of the worst in Volunteers history, Dooley led them to a record of 6-6 and a bowl berth.

Depth

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: Tyler Bray #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers huddles with his team 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 I

The depth of the team will continue to grow as the team does.  Right now the Volunteers are a very young team and are looking to capitalize on that in the future.

Their depth will grow and they will once again be one of the nation's elite.

Recruiting

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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

It's Tennessee, that's all that needs to be said.  If the Vols can win this bowl game, they will prove that they are back.  Even though it is a lower-tier bowl game, it would still be a big deal for the program and its future.

It will help Tennessee recruit.  Let's face it, almost everyone in the south plays football, and it will not be that hard to get high-caliber players to come to Tennessee.

Tough Conference

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers looks to the sidelines for a play call against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Tennessee fans will need to be patient to once again find themselves atop the SEC.  The SEC is the best conference in America and is loaded with talent.

It might take a few years for the Volunteers to get back on top, but they will be eventually.

Fans

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: A fan 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 Images)

Tennessee fans are still very loyal even when the program is in shambles.  This loyal fanbase will help the program succeed in the future.

So fans, continue to cheer your Volunteers.

They Will Be Back in the Next Five Years

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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

In the next five years, the Volunteers will once again be competing for a SEC title.  It may be hard to see, but if you look at the young talent and great coach they have, it is hard to count out the Volunteers in the future.