College Football Predictions 2008 Tennessee Volunteers

The Tennessee Volunteers came within a fourth-quarter turnover of winning the SEC Championship last season, but they don't enter the 2008 season with the same title game buzz following the departure of QB Erik Ainge. SportsBetting.com has the Tennessee Volunteers listed at 100 to 1 odds to win the 2009 BCS Championship. Georgia and Florida figure to be the teams to beat in the SEC East, but if Tennessee can survive a tough early slate, they could remain relevant in the SEC East race. Find out how College Predictions Handicapper Jeff Alexander has their season shaking out in his 2008 Tennessee Volunteers predictions and season preview for Point-Spreads.com.

Offense – The offensive line is still stacked with four returning starters. Last season, this unit only allowed four sacks, which was best in the nation, despite attempting 534 passes. Guard Anthony Parker was an All-SEC selection last year and is considered the heart and soul of the interior. The offensive line will have to be more prepared to run block this season as the departure of Erik Ainge will likely mean less passing attempts as Jonathan Crompton tries to fill Ainge's shoes.

The Vols will also have to adapt to a new offensive coordinator in Dave Clawson. The former Richmond head man likes to spread the field, use lots of motion and shifts, and favors a physical running game. Senior tailback Arian Foster figures to see plenty of the football. He had 1,293 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and was also a big asset as a receiver out of the backfield with 39 catches. The receiving corps should be a strength with three guys returning who had 56 or more catches. Lucas Taylor had an exceptional season with 73 grabs last year. The big question is if Crompton will be able to deliver the way Ainge did.

Defense – This side of the ball was last year's weakness, but it could be a strength this season. The Vols were forced to play three true freshman on the defensive side of the ball and now those three have gained a ton of experience in a hurry. Eric Bailey made the Freshman All-American team while playing corner and safety. I expect the athletic Demetrice Morley to team with Bailey to form one of the best safety duos in the SEC. Cornerback is Tennessee strongest and deepest spot this season. Marsalous Johnson, Antonio Gaines, Brent Vinson, and DeAngelo Willingham can all play. The departure of linebacker Jerod Mayo for the NFL Draft is one spot the Vols will not be able to improve. I expect defensive end Robert Ayers, who had four sacks last season, to emerge as an All-SEC performer this year.

Special Teams – All-SEC punter Britton Colquitt will miss the first five games of the season for violating a team rule and that could prove to be more costly than one might think with as tough as Tennessee early season schedule is.

College Football Predictions for the 2008 Tennessee Volunteers – 3rd in SEC East

Having to break in a new QB along with losing their best defensive player will be enough to set this team back. The offense will still be strong with the running game more at its focal point, but ultimately, this team is not as complete as the likes of Florida or Georgia. Tennessee should take third in the SEC East.

SportsBetting.com has posted football betting odds on various 2008 College Football Predictions:Alabama        
60 – 1
    
Arizona        
100 – 1
    
Arizona St        
100 – 1
    
Arkansas        
100 – 1
    
Auburn        
40 – 1
    
Boise St        
100 – 1
    
Boston College        
100 – 1
    
California        
100 – 1
    
Clemson        
30 – 1
    
Florida        
6 – 1
    
Florida St        
60 – 1
    
Georgia        
6 – 1
    
Georgia Tech        
100 – 1
    
Illinois        
50 – 1
    
Iowa        
100 – 1
    
Kansas        
75 – 1
    
Kansas St        
100 – 1
    
Kentucky        
100 – 1
    
LSU        
12 – 1
    
Louisville        
100 – 1
    
Maryland        
100 – 1
    
Miami FL        
100 – 1
    
Michigan        
30 – 1
    
Michigan St        
100 – 1
    
Missouri        
15 – 1
    
Nebraska        
75 – 1
    
North Carolina        
100 – 1
    
North Carolina St        
100 – 1
    
Notre Dame        
100 – 1
    
Ohio St        
6 – 1
    
Oklahoma        
6 – 1
    
Oklahoma St        
100 – 1
    
Oregon        
100 – 1
    
Oregon St        
100 – 1
    
Penn St        
50 – 1
    
Rutgers        
100 – 1
    
South Carolina        
75 – 1
    
South Florida        
100 – 1
    
Tennessee        
100 – 1
    
Texas        
30 – 1
    
Texas A&M        
100 – 1
    
Texas Tech        
75 – 1
    
UCLA        
75 – 1
    
USC        
3 – 1
    
Virginia        
100 – 1
    
Virginia Tech        
40 – 1
    
Wake Forest        
100 – 1
    
West Virginia        
20 – 1
    
Wisconsin        
50 – 1
    
Field (Any Other Team)        
25 – 1