OFFENSE

Tennessee will have a better sense of direction to open Derek Dooley’s second campaign with two experienced quarterbacks in sophomore incumbent Tyler Bray and senior Matt Simms. Bray won his first four starts before a 30–27 double-overtime loss to North Carolina in the Music City Bowl. Along the way, the rifle-armed 6'6", 210-pounder set numerous Tennessee freshman records. Simms played through the teeth of the schedule and displayed toughness and a competitive moxie.

Senior Tauren Poole is a proven runner who broke the 100-yard barrier six times en route to 1,034 yards rushing. Sophomore Rajion Neal brings more speed but hasn’t shown the ability to make tough yards.

At receiver, Justin Hunter burst on the scene with a team-leading 25.9 yards per catch and reeled in seven TD grabs last season, while Da’Rick Rogers showed versatility with 16 rushes for 117 yards in addition to his 11 catches for 167 yards. Dooley likes the big-play potential in his receiving corps, but he’s still looking for a third down threat. Junior tight end Mychal Rivera will aid in that department.

Dallas Thomas anchors the line from left tackle, while sophomore JerQuari Schofield is entrenched in a battle at left guard with midterm freshman enrollee Marcus Jackson. Freshman All-American James Stone is back at center, Zach Fulton lines up at right guard and Ja’Wuan James is a 6'6", 324-pound road grader at right tackle. Alex Bullard, a transfer from Notre Dame who has appealed for a waiver to play immediately, can play all five line positions.

DEFENSE

The defense is far less settled. Senior Malik Jackson is an All-SEC candidate at defensive tackle, and the Volunteers expect a boost from incoming junior college transfer Maurice Couch. Dooley projects sophomore end Jacques Smith to be a rising star. Junior Willie Bohannon, coming off a strong spring, is ahead of Marlon Walls on the depth chart at the other end position.

Tennessee is in dire need of playmakers at linebacker. Agile weak-side backer Herman Lathers is the team’s leading returning tackler with 75 stops, and senior Daryl Vereen brings great speed to the strong-side position. However, Lathers’ status for the start of 2011 is in question after a leg injury. Senior Austin Johnson plays with a blue-collar mentality.

The Volunteers’ secondary has yet to sort itself out with the exception of hard-hitting strong safety Brent Brewer. The free safety position won’t be determined until the status of all-star candidate Jackson gets cleared up. Jackson withdrew from the spring semester of school, and his return to the team, while probable, is not a definite. Second-team All-SEC pick Prentiss Waggner is penciled in at the position. Vaunted incoming junior college transfer Byron Moore is a favorite to win a starting job at cornerback, while returning starter Marsalis Teague will be pushed by incoming freshman Justin Coleman and junior college transfer Izauea Lanier.

SPECIALISTS

In sophomore kicker Michael Palardy and redshirt freshman punter Matt Darr, Tennessee has talent while being shy on experience. Rogers is the only established return man, as Dooley will look to incoming local product Devrin Young to return punts.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Tennessee will once again find itself fighting for a bowl berth in November. The Volunteers are moving in the right direction but might not have time to get there this season. The offensive unit is more cohesive than a defense that has yet to sort itself out.