Georgia football vs. Tennessee
The Tennessee Volunteers have growing support amongst pundits and commentators alike. They are this year’s hot pick, which is a testament to Vols head coach Josh Heupel’s job in Knoxville. The Vols go into this new season with the weight of expectation on them, and this is something for a team whose fanbase has the most unrealistic of expectations.
But to win the SEC East? Well, that’s quite the set of expectations.
Could these pesky Vols be the closest team to stopping the Bulldogs from another SEC East title? Well, at least the signs from last year are good for Vols fans.
First of all, we know that Tennessee has a talented quarterback. Hendon Hooker transferred into Knoxville from Virginia Tech at the start of last season. Recruited by the previous coaching staff but didn’t get a chance to play for Jeremy Pruitt.
Instead, Hooker was left in a situation where he was playing for a staff that didn’t recruit him and who recruited a new quarterback, Joe Milton, from Michigan. Hooker fought for his place.
Milton, who looked on fire in Spring and Fall camp, started the season as the start, but a poor start quickly cut short by injury opened the door to Hooker. He had the kind of season that brought him into the national spotlight and is now considered one of the top-ranked quarterbacks coming into the new season.
Joining Hooker is Cedric Tillman, who had an excellent season at wide receiver, and Jabari Small, who is the starting running back by some distance. The Vols also return four starters on the offensive line, meaning Josh Heupel has an impressive foundation to build on this year.
On defense, the Vols return Jeremy Banks at linebacker and defensive end Byron Young — both played key roles last season. Also returning are safeties Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCollough, who are veteran leaders.
Tennessee has a lot of momentum moving into this 2022 season, more than both Florida and South Carolina. While a miracle is possible, do they have the depth to compete with Georgia? It isn’t too far-fetched to think they could upset the Dawgs, but it’s doubtful.