National media outlet predicts where Tennessee Vols will finish in SEC in 2023
Can the Tennessee Vols win the SEC East for the first time since 2007?
The Tennessee Vols haven't won the SEC East since 2007.
And they haven't won the SEC Championship game since 1998.
Will that change in 2023?
It's certainly possible — the Vols are coming off an 11-2 season and they're showing no signs of slowing down.
But to win the SEC East, Tennessee has to get through Georgia. And the Bulldogs aren't showing any signs of slowing down, either.
That's why 247Sports isn't predicting that UT will win the SEC East in 2023.
Instead, they think the Vols will finish second in the SEC East for the second straight season.
The pressure is on Tennessee in 2023 given last season's notable success and Orange Bowl win to cap an incredible wave of momentum for the Volunteers. The roster looks different this time around with the offense replacing Hendon Hooker and a couple all-everything wideouts, but Tennessee's "play fast" mentality's not going to change. If Josh Heupel's crew can get to nine wins, we think that'll be enough to lock in the No. 2 spot in the East behind Georgia.
Here's their predicted order of finish in the SEC East:
- Georgia
- Tennessee
- South Carolina
- Kentucky
- Florida
- Vanderbilt
- Missouri
The 2023 season will be the Vols' final chance to win the SEC East as divisions are expected to disappear in 2024 with Texas and Oklahoma set to join the conference.
While Georgia is the overwhelming favorite to win the SEC East, it's worth noting that the Bulldogs will also be starting a new quarterback in 2023 with Stetson Bennett no longer in Athens.
If Georgia rolls with the wrong starting quarterback, it could provide Tennessee with the opening they need to win the SEC East for the first time in over 15 years.
Featured image via Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
