Tennessee Football Preview

Tennessee should have a very strong football team this year despite a week one loss to UCLA in overtime. Tennessee has already proved that there secondary is very strong by having seven interceptions in their first two games!

Preseason All-American Eric Berry, already has two interceptions on his resume, and he will definitely have many more. Last year, the safety pulled in five interceptions and set a school record with 222 interception return yards.

Tennessee's defense will suffer slightly having linebackers Ryan Karl and Jerod Mayo graduate. Jerod Mayo was a run-stopping linebacker who was the tenth pick in the NFL draft.

One weakness in the past years with the defense, was that the defensive line wasn't able to get enough pressure on the quarterback.

If that's the case once again this year, then John Chavis will be forced to call a variety of blitz packages. Luckily, the secondary should be able to hold up if blitzing is necessary.

On the offensive side of the ball, Arian Foster is easily on pace to break Travis Henry's career rushing record. He needs 488 more yards after week three to break the record. It shouldn't be a difficult task if he stays healthy, especially running behind a great offensive line.

The offensive line hasn't looked quite as good so far, but they will get better. They will be protecting junior quarterback Jonathan Crompton. He has struggled early in the year throwing three interceptions.

Every one of those interception he threw, he had pressure right in his face. So at least he should know what to work on.

He will be throwing to a talented receiving corps, led by returning 1,000 yard receiver Lucas Taylor. Behind him is Austin Rogers, Josh Briscoe, Gerald Jones, and Quinton Hancock.

Gerald Jones does most of the returns for the Volunteers, and he did very well in his first two games. If I had to predict a final record for the Vols, I'd predict an 8-4 record based on their very tough SEC schedule. Go Vols!