Tennessee Vols named one of the 'most dangerous teams to watch' in 2023
It seems like no one in the national media quite knows how to view the Tennessee Vols in 2023. Tennessee has been ranked in the top 15 of nearly every preseason rankings list that we've seen so far. Analysts, however, seem to be conflicted on whether or not the Vols should be viewed as an […]
It seems like no one in the national media quite knows how to view the Tennessee Vols in 2023.
Tennessee has been ranked in the top 15 of nearly every preseason rankings list that we've seen so far.
Analysts, however, seem to be conflicted on whether or not the Vols should be viewed as an elite program in 2023 that can compete for a College Football Playoff spot or if they'll regress after their impressive 11-2 season in 2022.
247Sports isn't sure how good the Vols will be in 2023, either. But they still view Tennessee as Georgia's biggest threat in the SEC East. And they think the Vols have the talent to be better than they were last season.
That's why 247Sports recently named Tennessee as one of the "most dangerous teams to watch in 2023.
From 247Sports: Much has been made this offseason about Tennessee's replacements for Cedric Tillman and Jalin Hyatt on the outside, along with quarterback Joe Milton taking over for Hendon Hooker as the facilitator of Josh Heupel's offseason. Do not worry about those two positions. Tennessee is Georgia's biggest threat in the SEC East because of how dynamic this group is in terms of big-play potential. And with nearly every significant contributor back defensively, this Volunteers team could be even better than the 11-win squad in 2022. Florida and Alabama on the road are two important games prior to that showdown in November at Neyland Stadium against the two-time defending national champions.
It's never going to be easy in the SEC. The Vols will likely have to beat either Alabama or Georgia — while winning the rest of the games on their schedule (UT should be favored in every game except the road matchup against Bama and the home matchup against the Bulldogs) — to reach the College Football Playoff. It's possible that Tennessee could reach the playoff with two losses, but that would require some craziness this fall.
Tennessee has a chance to make some serious noise in 2023 and deliver another special season. The Vols have made it clear that they're competing for a national championship this season. After what we saw from Tennessee last season, I don't think I'd be writing off the Vols in 2023.
