Vols Football: 5 Things To Watch For In 2014

Oct 19, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones reacts during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

On August 31, the Tennessee Volunteers will begin the second year of the Butch Jones era as they take on the Utah State Aggies in Neyland Stadium.

The Vols are coming off their third straight 5-7 season, but there is now an optimism on Rocky Top that hasn’t been around in recent years.

Butch Jones has recruited like a mad man during his first couple of recruiting cycles at Tennessee and has potential future stars on the roster with players like Jalen Hurd, Dillon Bates and Josh Malone.

But while things are looking up for the Vols, fans might have to endure one more mediocre season before things truly turn around.

Tennessee is breaking in a new offensive line and defensive line. They’re also going to be forced to rely on several true freshmen as starters. Guys like Emmanuel Moseley, Josh Malone and Jashon Robertson will likely be forced to start in their first season as Vols.

All of that adds up to a recipe for disaster. But this Volunteer football team is much more talented and faster than the team that took the field last season.

A 6-6 season is possible for the Vols, but a lot of things have to go right.

Here are five things that we think will be important factors for Tennessee this upcoming season.