2009 Tennessee Volunteers Football Preview
2009 Tennessee Volunteers season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Tennessee Volunteers football preview as well as the 2009 Tennessee Volunteers Football Schedule. We also offer a free odds comparison service of lines and totals on the NCAA football odds page.
Coach: Lane Kiffin (1st year at Tennessee)
Team Name: Volunteers
2008 Overall Record: 5-7
Returning Starters: 13
After finishing fifth in the SEC East last season, the 16th ranked Volunteers of Tennessee (5- 7 overall, 3- 5 SEC) went to the Outback Bowl where they beat 18th ranked Wisconsin 21- 17. It was, for the most part, a disappointing season for the Vols as they lost seven of their first 11 games. Teams that beat them included UCLA, Auburn, South Carolina and Wyoming. This season with a new head coach and two new coordinators things are looking up for this program.
Last season, the Vol averaged just 17.3 PPG (110th nationally). The team was ranked 88th on the run and 107th on the pass. This season, the team could benefit from new coach Lane Kiffin’s simple but effective offensive scheme. QB Jonathan Crompton (167 ATT, 86 COMP, 889 YDs, 5 INTs, 4 TDs) should be helped by Kiffin’s experience as a quarterback. More good news—the offensive line has seen a lot of action and is solid. Along with talented new recruits, players like junior wideout Gerald Jones (30 REC, 323 YDs, 4 TDs) and running back Montario Hardesty (76 ATT, 271 YDs, 6 TDs) should contribute greatly.
On the other hand, the Tennessee defense was one of the best around, allowing just 16.8 PPG (10th nationally). Although just four starters return, they are quality players. In the secondary, strong safety Eric Berry (72 TKLs, 3 SKs, 5.5 TFL, 7 INTs) is a major hitter and pick master. WLB Rico McCoy (87 TKLs, 1 SK, 2.5 TFL) is a true leader, and upfront, NT Dan Williams (48 TKLs, 1.5 SKs, 7 TFL) and DT Wes Brown (37 TKLs, 2.5 SKs, 3 TFL), both seniors, are tough run-stoppers. All of these returning starters will need to mentor the less experienced players. This side of the ball has potential.
Last season sophomore placekicker Daniel Lincoln went 22-of-22 on extra points but just 10-of-18 on field goals. He was a disappointment after putting in a great rookie season. New kicker Ethan Ingham is waiting in the wings if Lincoln can’t deliver. Punter Chad Cunningham proved to be adequate in 2008, averaging 39.5 YPP and placing 11-of-25 within the 20-yard line. Gerald Jones averaged 10 yards per runback on punts and Dennis Rogan got 24.9 yards on kick returns. Both are back.
The Vols new coach, Kiffin, was the Oakland Raiders last beleaguered head coach. He was fired by Raiders’ owner Al Davis last year and then landed this new job, his first as a college helmsman. Kiffin’s fine offensive mind should certainly help this team. The new coach managed to sign the nation’s top running prospect—Bryce Brown. That’s a big plus. The new guys coming in on “D” look very good. The opener versus Western Kentucky on September 5 should be a win, while the next game against UCLA on September 12 will be a revenge contest. Last year, they lost to the Bruins in OT 24- 27. The Vols visit Florida on September 19 for a battle fueled by Kiffin’s allegations that the Gators are guilty of recruiting violations. In the end, this Tennessee team will finish with a winning record and third or fourth in the SEC East. A middle tier bowl looks to be in their future.
Tennessee Volunteers Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/5/2009 | Tennessee | West. Kentucky | home | ||||
| 9/12/2009 | Tennessee | UCLA | home | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | Tennessee | Florida | away | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | Tennessee | Ohio | home | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | Tennessee | Auburn | home | ||||
| 10/10/2009 | Tennessee | Georgia | home | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | Tennessee | Alabama | away | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | Tennessee | South Carolina | home | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | Tennessee | Memphis | home | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Tennessee | Mississippi | away | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | Tennessee | Vanderbilt | home | ||||
| 11/28/2009 | Tennessee | Kentucky | away |
For more info on the 2009 Tennessee Volunteers football program, view the Volunteers official website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the SEC competition.
