Why a prominent national media outlet says Tennessee Vols are 'overrated' entering the 2023 season
The Tennessee Vols learned on Monday that they'll start the 2023 season ranked No. 12 in the AP Top 25 poll. This is the highest preseason AP Top 25 ranking for the Vols since 2016 when Tennessee was ranked No. 9 entering Butch Jones' fourth season as UT's head coach. Tennessee started each of Josh […]
The Tennessee Vols learned on Monday that they'll start the 2023 season ranked No. 12 in the AP Top 25 poll.
This is the highest preseason AP Top 25 ranking for the Vols since 2016 when Tennessee was ranked No. 9 entering Butch Jones' fourth season as UT's head coach.
Tennessee started each of Josh Heupel's first two seasons as an unranked team.
While there are plenty of fans who feel like Tennessee should be ranked higher, CBS Sports actually feels like the Vols are overrated at No. 12.
CBS Sports' Barrett Sallee thinks the unknown with starting quarterback Joe Milton — can he live up to the hype — is why Tennessee is overrated.
From CBS Sports: The Volunteers had a magical season in 2022, but that was due in large part to the play of quarterback Hendon Hooker and Biletnikoff Award winner Jalin Hyatt — both of whom moved on to the NFL. Joe Milton has taken over for Hooker and is receiving plenty of buzz due to his big arm. The problem is a big arm alone isn't going to win games in the SEC. Milton has lost starting jobs twice (once at Michigan and once at Tennessee) due in large part to his struggles with short to intermediate passes. Bru McCoy is going to lead a talented wide receiver corps. But if Milton can't develop a changeup, the fastest players in the world might not even be able to run underneath his deep ball.
If Milton doesn't have a "change-up" like Sallee mentions, then the overrated label might be appropriate for the Vols — Tennessee will go as Milton goes this season.
But with that said, it's worth pointing out that Vols legend Peyton Manning said on Sunday during an appearance on "The Nation" that he likes what he's seen from Milton this summer when it comes to the redshirt senior quarterback's accuracy.
"I was impressed with his accuracy, his footwork," said Manning while discussing Milton. "I can tell he's worked on those things, I think he wants to be more than just the guy that can throw it so far down the field. Which is great, but we got to be able to complete those intermediate throws [and] those touch passes over the middle. And I think Joe's really worked on that. And I think that's going to show up this year for sure."
If the touch passes show up for Milton in 2023 like Manning thinks they will, then Tennessee could rocket to the top of the rankings this fall. But if the touch passes aren't there, then Sallee may end up being correct.
As is always the case, the games will tell the story. Ultimately, this is just another piece of motivation for Milton and Tennessee's offense.
SEC defensive coordinator makes big statement about Tennessee Vols QB Joe Milton
An SEC defensive coordinator made a big statement about Tennessee Vols QB Joe Milton
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
