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Three reasons Tennessee football won title in 1998 and not 1997

By Caleb Calhoun

4 Jan 1999: the Tennesse Volunteers celebrate during the Fiesta Bowl Game against the Florida State Seminoles at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Tennessee defeated Florida State 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
4 Jan 1999: the Tennesse Volunteers celebrate during the Fiesta Bowl Game against the Florida State Seminoles at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Tennessee defeated Florida State 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport /
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14 Nov 1998: Members of the Tennessee Volunteers participate in a team prayer during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at the Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Volunteers defeated the Razorbacks 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport
Photo by Tom Hauck/Allsport /

2. Experience

On the offensive line, while Teague left, Reado, the only new starter, was a senior, so UT replaced a senior with a senior. Meanwhile, Chad Clifton, Cosey Coleman, Spencer Riley and Mercedes Hamilton were returning starters, and they were all a year older. So the line got more experienced.

Running backs, Lewis and Henry were obviously a year older. Lack of experience is why neither started at Florida in 1997. Senior fullback Shawn Bryson was also a year older, and he had touchdowns against Florida and in the national title game against the Florida State Seminoles.

The defensive line, in addition to being an upgrade in talent, was a wash in terms of experience. After all, Corey Terry and Ron Green, the two returning starters, became seniors, just like Duff and Brown were the year before, while Ellis and Walker were juniors. Even linebacker was a wash. Little was gone, but Al Wilson replaced him and was a senior himself.

Place kicker Jeff Hall became a senior, and his presence clearly made a difference in the Vols’ first two wins. David Leaverton had a horrible freshman campaign in 1997, even losing his starting job, but he emerged as a reliable punter in 1998. So special team also got more experienced overall.

Manning to Martin, the receiving corps. going from two seniors and two juniors to just two seniors and a sophomore, and the secondary going from three seniors and a sophomore (Dwayne Goodrich) to a senior, two juniors and a sophomore were the drop-offs. However, there were roughly six total more years of college experience in 1998, and it showed in crucial moments.

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