All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Five bold predictions for 2020 season

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images
Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images /

1. Jim Chaney’s offense will lead the SEC in rushing.

Yes, this seems like we’re going out on a limb. But if you look at the state of Tennessee football’s personnel on offense, it’s not that crazy. In fact, it could end up being likely. The personnel at running back and on the offensive line make it so, and the Vols will have the most rushing yards of any SEC team.

More from All for Tennessee

For starters, the Vols are one of only two teams to have two of the top 10 returning rushers in the SEC from last year, Ty Chandler and Eric Gray. Assuming Gray builds off what he did at the end of last year and Chandler is able to return to 2018 form, the Vols could have a dominant rushing attack with two elite weapons from the start.

Beyond that, though, UT already may have the best interior line in the SEC. Trey Smith speaks for himself, but Brandon Kennedy is the most experienced center in the league, as a sixth-year senior. Experience matters more than anything else there. By the way, if Cade Mays finally gets cleared to play by the SEC, he’ll be the other guard, affirming that interior line.

Two productive running backs and an elite line will be enough for this team to lead the SEC in rushing. Jim Chaney’s history with the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Georgia Bulldogs shows that he loves to rely heavily on running backs when he has such talent. UT having to replace its three leading receivers from last year only further affirms it will run the ball more.

Next. Vols' 10 toughest records to break. dark

Finally, since sacks count against rushing yards in college, Tennessee football will be better on that front. The Vols also return Wanya Morris and Darnell Wright on the outside, both of whom started as true freshmen in 2019, and both should emerge as national stars this year. As a result, Jarrett Guarantano’s jersey should remain clean also. That will keep UT’s rushing at the top of the league.

Home/Vols Football