Nov 29, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Josh Dobbs (11) runs for a touchdown during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee: 11-1 (7-1)
Loss: Georgia
Breakdown: I picked Arkansas as my surprise team of the year over Tennessee because feel like Tennessee has garnered more attention this offseason than the Razorbacks, but I think most will be surprised by just how successful the Vols will be.
Betsided
Josh Dobbs is a dark horse Heisman contender, and the fate of the Volunteers’ season will rest mainly on his shoulder pads. If we get the Josh Dobbs that was very impressive at the end of the last season, mixed with some good off season training, the Vols will be very tough to beat when Jalen Hurd, Derek Barnett, and Alvin Kamara are thrown into the mix. If Dobbs disappoints, however, Tennessee could add a few more losses onto their record.
Tennessee’s bout with Georgia on October 10th will be the de facto SEC East Championship Game, and it should be a thriller. In the end, I think it will be the Bulldogs’ experience, depth, and Chubbiness that prevails in what could be an instant classic. But the Vols need not be discouraged, as they will still be in great position to go to Atlanta if the Dawgs slip up twice after that game.
The best case scenario for the Vols though just might be a loss to Georgia and both teams winning out after, or Georgia losing just one game along the way, as an 11-1 Tennessee team will be very hard to turn down for the Playoffs.
Next: Vanderbilt Commodores