Phil Steele thinks Tennessee is a 'legitimate contender' in SEC

Tennessee may have been the story of college football during the regular season last fall with their revival as they won double-digit games for the first time in a decade and a half. Even so, Phil Steele sees even more headlines coming this fall on Rocky Top.

Steele applauded the Volunteers in a recent interview on ‘Josh and Swain’. He said that Tennessee already lived up to several of his predictions for them heading into last season. Now, as he looked toward the next campaign, he believes that they have everything to keep the good times rolling in Knoxville, especially if they can find a way to capitalize on November 18th.

“Remember, in last year’s magazine, I forecasted Tennessee was going to have 45 points per game. And what’d they do? 46 points per game. First 11-win season since 2001. What a great year. And I don’t think it slows down,” Steele said. “I think you’re going to see Tennessee (is) the legitimate contender to Georgia in the SEC East this year.”

“You look at the schedule this year? Tennessee’s going to be a dog at Alabama, they’re going to be a dog at home against Georgia. If you’re going to win the East? You’ve got to beat Georgia at home. That would be the key,” said Steele. “But I think this team is very capable of getting back to double digit wins this year, despite losing a player like Hendon Hooker.”

Tennessee finished in second in the SEC East last year behind only the ‘Dawgs. That was in large part due to their 27-13 loss to the eventual champs in Athens in what was a top-three clash. Their only other loss, a 63-38 stunner at South Carolina, then sealed the deal on Georgia’s berth to Atlanta two weeks later.

Still, as far as teams go, Steele believes the Volunteers have everything at their disposal to take another shot at it this season. He noted that if their next starting quarterback, Joe Milton, can keep his turnover numbers down like Hooker did, all the other pieces will fall into place.

“I think, when you look at Tennessee, of course the big question mark is you lose a Hendon Hooker, who had just two interceptions all year. That’s a key number if you’re a Tennessee fan. Circle that number. If Joe Milton can come near that? Then look out,” Steele said. “Milton’s got the size, the arm strength. Everything you want in an NFL quarterback. And he’s in the perfect offense.”

“He’s now in his third year of the offense, he’s got a good supporting cast, three starting offensive linemen back. Despite losing a guy like (Jalin) Hyatt at the receiver spot, they’ve got (Bru) McCoy, they add in Dont’e Thornton. The running backs are very deep,” explained Steele. “And the defense showed a lot of improvement last year. They improved by a touchdown per game. I think they’ll continue to show improvement.”

Tennessee is a fairly clear choice for second in the SEC East considering their current momentum. If they can be in the hunt by the time the two-time defending champions come to Neyland Stadium in the second to last game of the year, though, the Vols may very well earn their shot at the top spot and their first trip to the SEC Championship since ’07.