Plenty of big-name programs are staying home this bowl season, and while many are likely to bounce back in 2012, it looks to me like the Tennessee Volunteers are in the best position of all. Yes, the Vols finished 5-7 overall and 1-7 in the SEC, but they had plenty of young players who showed toughness over the course of a brutal schedule and had their overall performance hurt by a number of significant injuries.
Yes, the Wildcats are in a better position from a conference standpoint, but don't overlook the fact that Tennessee had four SEC all-freshman picks this season -- lineman Marcus Jackson, linebackers Curt Maggitt and A.J. Johnson, and safety Brian Randolph -- and had four others in 2010. Johnson's 80 tackles this season are just six shy of the Tennessee freshman record set by Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry, and there is all kinds of young defensive talent on that team ready to come into its own. A look at the Volunteers' most recent depth chart shows 12 freshmen and sophomores on their defensive two-deep, including five starters.
I think Tennessee is set up even better at quarterback. Sophomore Tyler Bray flashed a lot of potential this season, showing a big-time arm and the ability to drive the ball accurately downfield. A broken thumb cost him five games in the middle of the season, but he still threw for 17 touchdowns against just six interceptions.
I think Tennessee is set up even better at quarterback. Sophomore Tyler Bray flashed a lot of potential this season, showing a big-time arm and the ability to drive the ball accurately downfield. A broken thumb cost him five games in the middle of the season, but he still threw for 17 touchdowns against just six interceptions.
The Volunteers also have one of the best wide receiver duos in the country in Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers. A torn ACL in the third game of the season put Hunter on the shelf, but having him and Bray healthy alongside Rogers (a first-team all-SEC pick this season) will make a huge difference for an offense that scored just 23 points in the five games Bray missed -- all losses, including consecutive games against No. 1 LSU, No. 2 Alabama and No. 13 South Carolina. He's very important to this team.
All of that is true, Steve, but remember that the SEC East is not as strong as the West, especially with Florida struggling to get right under Will Muschamp. Given the up-and-coming talent the Volunteers have and the fact that they get Florida, Alabama and Missouri at home next season, I expect big things.