10 tough questions about UT

Josh McNeil: Getting back into shape

Tennessee begins fall camp Saturday, 31 days before the Vols officially kick off the season at UCLA in primetime Sept. 1. But who wants to wait that long for answers? Tennessee football beat writer Drew Edwards takes a look at 10 questions facing this year’s team and gazes into the crystal ball for a few predictions.

10. How will Chad Cunningham perform as UT’s starting punter?

With Britton Colquitt out for the first five games, Tennessee will cast its lot with Cunningham, who has just one career start. He’s struggled with consistency at times, but he has a strong leg and can be effective when he gets his kicks away on time. Coaches have also noted his ability to perform under pressure. There won’t be any shortage of that in the first games, including a home game against Florida and trips to UCLA and Auburn.

Answer: Cunningham can’t place the ball like Colquitt and doesn’t have the hang time on his kicks, but he’s had plenty of time to prepare for his starting role. Expect a few bumps in the road, but also expect him to get the job done.

9. Will opposing kick returners run wild on the Vols again this fall?

Florida’s Brandon James and Cal’s DeSean Jackson, two of the nation’s best return men a year ago, made the Vols look downright silly on kick coverage. The numbers got better as the season went on, but the Vols lost momentum and points due to poor kick coverage too often.

Answer: Look for the Vols to continue the improvement shown last fall. Former NFL special teams coach Stan Drayton should have a major impact on this group as well. Kick returns should be a strength again, especially with Dennis Rogan back.

8. Will Arian Foster become Tennessee’s all-time leading rusher?

Underrated, and perhaps unappreciated by UT fans, Foster is one of the SEC’s best tailbacks and needs just 684 yards to supplant Travis Henry atop the record books.

Answer: Barring injury, Foster will almost assuredly break the record and distance himself from the rest of the field. His versatility makes him an every-down player, and perhaps the single most important player on offense this fall.

7. Who will be this year’s surprise breakout player?

Heading into last season, almost no one saw Dennis Rogan emerging from a crowd of four- and five-star prospects to have such an impact in the kicking game and in the secondary. Answer: Gerald Jones, Ben Martin and Brent Vinson are all obvious choices, but look for tight end Luke Stocker to emerge as a solid, if unsung, contributor this fall, especially if Jeff Cottam is slow to heal during fall camp. Defensive back DeAngelo Willingham has a chance to be special as does linebacker Nevin McKenzie.

6. Will Tennessee’s secondary live up to the hype?

It’s been a while since any position has been talked up as much as the Vols’ secondary. And for good reason, with freshman All-American Eric Berry back to lead a group with plenty of talent and experience. Demetrice Morley is back as well, as are four cornerbacks who have starting experience. That should allow UT more freedom to play five and six defensive backs this fall, something it hasn’t done as much in recent seasons because of lack of depth.

Answer: There’s little doubt this group will be good, if not great this fall. Yet even great may not live up to some fans’ expectations. As a benchmark, though, expect this group to help UT surpass its 16 interceptions from last year.

5. Who will be UT’s next star at wide receiver?

One of the most intriguing story lines in fall camp will be who emerges at wide receiver. Lucas Taylor, Austin Rogers and Josh Briscoe showed they can play in the SEC last fall. This fall, Qunintin Hancock, Denarius Moore, Gerald Jones and Ahmad Paige highlight a group of talented players looking to crack the rotation and give Taylor, Rogers and Briscoe plenty of competition for a starting job.

Answer: Taylor was UT’s go-to guy last fall, but watch out for Jones to earn his way into the spotlight — and opponents’ defensive gameplans — this fall with his speed and athleticism.

4. Will Tennessee’s defense find the time machine?

No one wants to revisit the 2005 season, not even defensive coordinator John Chavis. Despite UT’s 5-6 overall record, the defense was stellar, ranking 16th in the nation in scoring defense (18.6 points a game), sixth in total defense (298.2 yards a game) and second in rush defense (82.5 yards per game). But in 2006, UT allowed 327.5 yards per game and 146 yards per game rushing. In 2007, the Vols allowed an average of 27 points and 403 yards a game, and ranked no better than 61st nationally in any defensive category.

Answer: Unless a rash of injuries strikes UT’s front seven, the Vols should be improved on defense. A strong secondary will allow more freedom to blitz, and upgrades at end should result in more pressure. UT will be better on defense than the last two seasons, but just how much better remains to be seen.

3. How effective will Dave Clawson’s new offense be?

The hiring of Clawson, UT’s first offensive coordinator hired from outside the program since Walt Harris came on board in 1983, brought plenty of excitement to fans and coaches. His multiple offense thrives on favorable matchups, balance and multiple formations.

Answer: Clawson has had success everywhere he’s been, and it shouldn’t be any different in the SEC. Look for UT’s offense to be roughly as productive as it was in the last two seasons under David Cutcliffe. Ranking in the top third of the conference in total offense and near the 30 points per game mark is a pretty good guess.

2. How good will Jonathan Crompton be?

Every other position on offense has plenty of experience and depth returning, except at quarterback. Crompton’s only real meaningful snaps came in 2006, when he performed well at home against LSU and then struggled (with the rest of his teammates on offense and defense) against Arkansas. He’s talented, tough and mobile, but he struggled at times in spring practice knowing when to pull back the reins.

Answer: Crompton has strong leadership skills, and seems to be well-liked by teammates, a huge plus for any quarterback. He’s a hard-worker, too. If (and it’s a big if right now) he can play within himself and not try to do too much, big things could and should follow from the offense.

1. Where will the Vols finish?

The SEC media picked UT third in the East, behind a pair of national championship contenders in Florida and Georgia. South Carolina is much improved and should have one of the league’s best defenses. Kentucky and Vanderbilt likely won’t be as good as the last few years, but they’ve come a long way from where they were.

Answer: Ignoring the media’s shoddy track record of picking conference champions, third place in the East sounds about right. Tennessee has the talent and experience to make a run at another division title. But here’s betting this little scheduling quirk keeps Tennessee away from Atlanta in December: The Vols must play nine consecutive games (more than any other SEC team) and faces its toughest division opponents (South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Kentucky) as they come off an open date.