UT looks for return trip to SEC championship
He hasn’t picked a starting quarterback, but both candidates are proven winners. He likes his offensive line, receiving corps, tailback, defensive line and linebackers. Fulmer even thinks the fullback may be one of the best in the country, and he’s got confidence in his kickers.
Apparently, many people share his opinion.
The Vols open the season Sept. 3 at home against UAB as the top contender to win the Southeastern Conference championship, and they were ranked No. 3 in the coaches’ preseason poll.
“It’s very difficult to argue with the folks who think we have a chance to be good,” Fulmer said.
But Tennessee will have to do better than a year ago in the SEC title game when the Vols lost to Auburn for the second time that season.
“When we were in Atlanta we were like, ‘Hey man, first week in December we need to be right back here playing in the Georgia Dome,'” linebacker Kevin Simon said. “Everyone is thinking we have to get back to the SEC championship game.”
Tennessee followed its most recent SEC title in 1998 with a national crown and undefeated season.
The Vols got a big boost that season with a strong offensive line and running game. Four of this year’s linemen were starters in 2004 with the center position up for grabs between a junior and senior.
“I believe you have to be good if you’re going to compete for championships. I think we’ve got as good a group there as we’ve had in some time as a whole,” Fulmer, a former offensive lineman for Tennessee, said.
Junior Arron Sears, who played tackle and guard last year, headlines the group.
Senior Gerald Riggs finally gets his chance to be the main ball carrier. Named a possible contender for the Heisman Trophy in some publications, Riggs shared duties last season with then-senior Cedric Houston and racked up 1,107 yards on 193 rushes and six touchdowns.
Fulmer says he expects “big things” from Riggs, but he’s also looking for solid backups.
“When we’ve been at our best we’ve had great depth at tailback,” Fulmer said. Two redshirt freshmen and two rookies are competing for the spot behind Riggs.
The tailbacks should get some good blocking from fullback Cory Anderson, a 6-foot-3, 275-pounder who can also catch and run.
One of the biggest questions going into the season is who will be the starting quarterback, but Fulmer is not worried.
Senior Rick Clausen and sophomore Erik Ainge each started games last season. Clausen took over after Ainge and freshman Brent Schaeffer went down with injuries. Schaeffer has transferred, and Ainge has recovered from a separated shoulder.
“It’s a great situation to be in,” Clausen said. “No matter who it is, we’re going to win football games.”
The QBs are fairly similar, although Ainge can throw the ball farther.
They have plenty of experienced players on the receiving end of their passes.
Robert Meachem is back after leading receivers last year in yardage at 459; Bret Smith had the most touchdowns with five.
Tennessee’s defense could steal the show. Three of last year’s starters on the line are back, and depth is good. Tackle Jesse Mahelona led the SEC in 2004 with 18 1/2 tackles for a loss in his first year as a junior college transfer.
Simon takes over at middle linebacker after sitting out last year with a knee injury. He led the team in 2003 with 115 tackles, and Fulmer calls him one of the most dominating players the Vols have had.
“He’s a real key to us,” Fulmer said.
The secondary still needs improvement from last season. Opponents averaged 236 yards passing a game and had 19 touchdown passes. Jason Allen decided to stay in school for his senior season instead of leaving early for the NFL, and he’s moved from safety to cornerback.
“I’m very hopeful we’ll start this season at a level of play that we never reached last season because we gave up entirely too many big plays and too many first downs and too many easy plays,” Fulmer said.
Tennessee has a new punter, but from a familiar family. Britton Colquitt, the fourth member of his family to punt for the Vols, follows older brother Dustin, who was drafted this spring in the third round by the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Vols will need to solve their problems quick because of a rough early schedule. After UAB and a bye week, Tennessee has back-to-back games at Florida and LSU. Their other non-conference games are at Notre Dame and at home against Memphis.
“We know we’re going to do well,” Riggs said. “Everybody has their own personal goals or whatnot, but fortunately for us all the guys on this team understand what it takes to win ball games and that’s coming together.”
A quick look at the 2005 Tennessee Volunteers
Coach: Phillip Fulmer, 14th season, 123-31 record, 123-31 career.
Home stadium: Neyland Stadium.
2004 record: 10-3 overall, 7-1 conference
Returning starters: 7 offense, 8 defense.
Key players: Offense — TB Gerald Riggs, QBs Erik Ainge and Rick Clausen, FB Cory Anderson, WRs Bret Smith and Robert Meachem, OT Arron Sears.
Defense — DT Jesse Mahelona, DE Parys Haralson, CB Jason Allen, LB Kevin Simon, FS Jonathan Hefney.
Best bets: P Britton Colquitt will live up to his potential as the fourth in his family to punt at UT. … LB Kevin Simon and CB Jason Allen will lead the team in tackles. … The running game will prosper behind an impressive offensive line. … Depth on the defensive line will be a huge advantage. … Steve Spurrier will not enjoy his first time back in Knoxville as South Carolina’s new coach.
Questions: Who will be the starting quarterback? … Will Gerald Riggs have his best season at UT? … Can the Vols win back-to-back away games at Florida and LSU? … Will Jason Allen’s move from safety to cornerback prove to be a good or bad decision? … Can Tennessee make it to a BCS bowl for the first time since 1999?
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SCHEDULE:
Sept. 3—UAB, 12:30 p.m.
Sept. 17—at Florida, 8 p.m.
Sept. 24—at LSU, TBA
Oct. 1—Mississippi, TBA
Oct. 8—Georgia, TBA
Oct. 22—at Alabama, TBA
Oct. 29—South Carolina, TBA
Nov. 5—Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 12—Memphis, TBA
Nov. 19—Vanderbilt, TBA
Nov. 26—at Kentucky, TBA
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On the Net:
Tennessee football: http://www.utsports.com