Tennessee Volunteers 2010 College Football Predictions – BCS Odds 2011: It would not be accurate to say the University of Tennessee's football program has fallen on hard times but the schools program isn't what it has been or is expected to be. It appeared all was well in 2009, with new head coach Lane Kiffin guiding the team back into the SEC East conversation following a disastrous 2008 losing season when the team went 5-7, and ending with the firing of longtime coach Phillip Fulmer.
Volunteer Nation was shaken to its core when Kiffin announced he was leaving to take the USC job vacated by Pete Carroll. The Vol's settled with hiring Louisiana Tech head coach and athletic director Derek Dooley, son of longtime Georgia coach and AD Vince Dooley.
With all the coaching turmoil apparently over, the Volunteers' football program will move on under Dooley's direction and, with all fingers crossed, continue their recovery enroute back to power-house status so enjoyed by Vols students and fans in the late 90's.
Good things are happening at the Knoxville, Tenn., school under Dooley's watchful eye, however; the Vols are not expected to win a BCS Championship, much less the SEC East or SEC Championship. Tennessee will probably be chasing Florida and South Carolina for the Division crown.
Oddsmakers at online sportsbook BetUS.com lists the Volunteers chances of winning the 2011 BCS National Championship at +8000 (80/1) and the SEC at +800 (8/1). Odds on the Vols winning the SEC East Division are +400 (4/1).
Dooley will lead the Vols into August drills looking to answer one big question. Who will be the starting quarterback? Tennessee emerged from spring drills without a true frontrunner. The competition will continue in August between juco transfer Matt Simms and freshman Tyler Bray. A true freshman, Bray graduated from high school at mid-semester so he could participate in spring drills.
Tennessee lost all of its starting five on the offensive line, something that could be very unsettling for an inexperienced quarterback. The strength of the Vols offense will be its receivers corps led by senior Denarius Moore and tight end Luke Stocker.
A huge plus for Dooley was his hiring Justin Wilcox away from Boise State to take over the Defensive Coordinator position. Wilcox is known for creating a great unit built questionable talent. That's a good thing because due to lack of depth Wilcox will have to spin some magic he used at Boise State. The Vols lost their top four tacklers from 2009 but look for good things from starting Free Safety Janzen Jackson and Defensive End Chris Walker.
In a recent development, the Tennessee defensive line gets a shot in the arm with the transferring in of junior Defensive End Malik Jackson from the troubled USC program. Jackson was an often-used backup defensive end as a sophomore in 2009, playing primarily in pass rushing situations. Overall in 2009 while appearing in all 13 games, he had 18 tackles, including 3.5 sacks, plus 1 forced fumble and 2 deflections.
Bet on sports at online sportsbook BetUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
