Heading into the 2015 season, there appears to be some positive momentum for the Tennessee Volunteers in their quest to rediscover the good form in 2000s that made them a dominant force in the SEC East division. The positivity is not just limited to the Tennessee fans and players, but it is also evidenced in the 2015 NCAAF betting odds, where the Vols are placed as one of the top challengers for Georgia in the East.The pundits have not been left out of the optimistic talks, with ESPN’s Joe Shad saying, “I totally understand why a lot of people are actually picking Tennessee to win the SEC East. I think they’ll contend (strongly) in the SEC East.”Is it all hot air about the Vols and the upbeat expectations about them ahead of the new season, or is there some true value bettors can get by riding on them in the NCAA Football lines? Read on as we break it all down for you below.
PRESEASON ALL-SEC: @CurtMaggitt, @dbarnett25, @CamSutton23 & @josh_dobbs1 recognized by media: http://t.co/g1n6IKwf8N pic.twitter.com/gIoOaGUjSz
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) July 17, 2015The Returning Starters
The biggest factor that will be working in Tennessee is the fact that the Volunteers will be returning with 18 starters from their serviceable 2014 team that went 7-6 (3-5). With more experience and better familiarity among the teammates, the Vols should be able to play much better than they did last year.The returning starters are good value players on both sides of the field, something that is guaranteed to offer them balance in 2015. Some of the notable stars in the team include QB Joshua Dodds, who is valued as one of best QBs in the SEC, an enviable speedster in Jalen Hurd and a talented DL in Derek Barnet (one of the best linemen in the nation), and solid corner in CB Cam Sutton, who is likely to be in the mix for first-team All-SEC honors.Great Recruitment
Entering his third season, coach Butch Jones continued to impress his employers at the Rocky Top by getting well-talented recruits, including freshmen DT Kahlil McKenzie and DE Kyle Phillips, who will add some much-needed boost to the team’s D-line. After improving by two wins from 2013 to 2014 with a very young group, the additional talent, combined with the already-good group of returning players, should help the Vols bump up their wins once again.Strong Finish Season in 2014
After starting their season rather tamely, probably due to acclimatization into the new environment and a gel-up among the starters, the Vols found their rhythm and finished the season strongly, going 4-1 SU in their last five games. Their capacity to go it hard against big teams was showcased in the end-of-year Taxslayer Bowl, where they routed Iowa 45-28.
