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Tennessee football: 5 bold predictions for the Vols 2018 season

By Billy Williford

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 14: Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball defended by D.J. Smith #24 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Neyland Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 14: Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball defended by D.J. Smith #24 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Neyland Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – September 09: Jonathan Kongbo #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with teammates after a tackle for a loss during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

No.5 – Vols will have a top 3 defense in the SEC

For our first bold prediction of the 2018 season, Tennessee will have a top-three defense in the SEC. However, that will not be easy. Here is how last year’s defenses ranked in the SEC.

1. Alabama

2. Georgia

3. Mississippi State

4. LSU

5. Auburn

6. Florida

7. South Carolina

8. Vanderbilt

9. Texas A&M

10. Tennessee

11. Missouri

12. Kentucky

13. Arkansas

14. Ole Miss

Tennessee ranked tenth in the SEC by giving up 412.9 yards per game, which equals to about 5.94 yards per play. Getting from tenth to third won’t be easy, but a Jeremy Pruitt coached team could most certainly do so.

As a defensive coordinator, Pruitt had his 2013 Florida State defense ranked first in scoring defense and third in total defense. He also had Alabama’s defense ranked first in scoring defense this past year.

Must Read. Simulating 2018 Vols season on old NCAA game. light

Again, going off last year’s numbers if Tennessee wants to be top three in the SEC, they need to bring down the 412.9 yards given up per game to around the 305-yard mark.

Mississippi State ranked third in the SEC and tenth in the nation overall by giving up 306.3 yards per game. Top three in the SEC would give the Vols a good chance at having a top ten defense in the nation. And, wouldn’t that be a huge turn around from Butch Jones?

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