Adams: Vols' struggles appear ongoing

If you look at the short-term prospects for Tennessee football, you should be concerned. If you look at the long-term prospects, you should be more concerned.

Nine days ago, the Vols lost to Florida 30-6. That makes UT 0-4 against Florida coach Urban Meyer.

Another losing streak was extended Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn's 14-12 victory was coach Tommy Tuberville's fourth in a row against UT.

Looming in October is Alabama, the hottest item in college football after Saturday's rout of Georgia. Alabama coach Nick Saban has won three of his last four games against UT, dating back to his days at LSU.

You can't ignore those track records in looking to the future. You also shouldn't ignore the personnel. The SEC teams that just beat the Vols back-to-back rely more on underclassmen than UT does.

The Florida defense that held UT to six points doesn't have a senior on it. The Auburn defense that looked even more dominant against the Vols started only two seniors and played without star middle linebacker Tray Blackmon.

With Blackmon sidelined by an injury, Auburn replaced him with sophomore Josh Bynes, who entered the game with 29 career tackles. All he did was register a game-high 11 tackles.

Auburn likely will lose defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks early to the NFL, just as you would expect Florida to lose middle linebacker Brandon Spikes after his junior season. But the Gators and Tigers will return more starters on both sides of the ball than UT.

Alabama's resurgence is even more attributable to the performances of new players. And Saban seems as adept as any coach in the country at getting young players ready to play at a high level.

Alabama's leading receiver is true freshman Julio Jones. Its second-leading rusher and scorer is another true freshman, Mark Ingram.

Alabama's depth chart includes 10 freshmen on its first or second team. UT's includes three.

UT has had more success against SEC East rival Georgia lately. But when you look at the depth charts and the disparity in playmakers on offense, you wonder how long that will last.

Georgia's two-deep depth chart includes 23 freshmen or sophomores. UT's includes 17.

Bottom line: UT's top three annual opponents - Florida, Alabama and Georgia - are all in better shape. So is Auburn, which the Vols play again next season, and LSU, which they pick up in 2010.

No wonder UT fans are frustrated. No wonder they boo.

They see better young players on rival teams. They see opposing coaches manage close games better.

What they don't see is as significant as what they do see.

They don't see the next good quarterback on the horizon. And they don't see former offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe coming to the rescue.

UT's 5-6 record in 2005 was an aberration. But this 1-3 start doesn't look like an aberration.

It looks like a sign of things to come.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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