Tennessee Volunteers 2022 College Football Preview
August 9, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 7-6
ATS – 6-7
Year one of the Josh Heupel era was a lot of fun as they scored a TON of points and provided fans with plenty of exciting moments. Losses against ROLL TIDE and Georgia showed that they’ve still got a way to go, but the SEC East in now on notice. The Vols mean business, yo.
Tennessee Volunteers 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Vols were productive and explosive LY (39.3 PPG, #2 SEC scoring offense) and displayed excellent balance between the run (218 YPG) and the pass (257 YPG). QB Hendon Hooker put up superstar numbers LY (31-3 TD to INT, 616 rush, 5 TD) and he rolls into 2022 as a legit Heisman Trophy contender. We like the weaponry surrounding Hooker as he’s got a pair of legit RBs to work with in last year’s #1 rusher Jabari Small (796, 5.6, 9 TD) and Clemson transfer Lyn-J Dixon. The Vols boast a DEVASTATING #1 WR in Cedric Tillman who developed great chemistry with Hooker LY (1,081,16.9,12 TD) and they added a talented WR specimen from USC in Bru McCoy. The OL is in great shape and we expect more FUN on offense in 2022!
DEFENSE
Tennessee struggled as expected on defense LY (#12 SEC scoring defense, #12 total defense) but they did manage to register 34 sacks (#8 SEC). We expect improvement this season as the Vols bring back seven starters, their top-three tacklers, and their top-two sack producers. They lost a couple of guys up front but DE Byron Young booked 5.5 sacks LY and there are a lot of talented young specimens ready to take a leap forward. The Vols have an experienced LB corps including the team’s #1 tackler in Jeremy Banks (128, 11.5 TFL LY) and they boast three upperclassmen starters in the secondary. Expect a better job from the stop unit in 2022.
SPECIAL TEAMS
It’s a mixed bag. They lose their fantastic PR/KR Velus Jones (KR TD LY, 15.1 PR) but have one of the better punters in the SEC in Paxton Brooks (42.1 net LY). PK Chase McGrath was good, but not great in 2021 (12-16 FG, 66-66 XP).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It’s a wee bit nasty. They draw ROLL TIDE (H) and LSU (A) from the West and have to face the Pitt Panthers on the road in week two. They’ve also got to deal with three road games in November.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing overly-spooky is noted.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline Aug 9
Over 7.5 -170
Under 7.5 +140
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
We might take a small taste of the ‘over’ as a GUN to the HEAD selection but the schedule has a few too many land mines for us to wager BIGLY.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
HC Josh Heupel has a mediocre lifetime ATS mark of 24-25 during his time with UCF and Tennessee.
The INTREPID Phil Steele reminds us that the Vols are 0-15 (!) vs Nick Saban-led Alabama and just 4-11 ATS in those contests.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
GET CHO POPCONE!
The Vols are a dangerous bunch that’ll be able to score a lot of points whilst playing respectable defense most of the time. They’re clearly the 2nd best team in the SEC East but it’ll be a tough task to take down the defending champs from Athens. Interesting “value” choice for those looking to beat the favorite in futures markets.
Let’s go, Vols!
Want more Tennessee Volunteers football ?
WEBSITE
https://utsports.com/sports/football
FORUM
http://www.volnation.com/forum/tennessee-vols-football/
http://tennessee.247sports.com/Board/Tennessee-Volunteers-Message-Board-Forum-114
http://www.secrant.com/rant/tennessee-sports/
https://tennessee.forums.rivals.com/forums/the-generals-quarters.10/
NEWS
http://www.knoxnews.com/sports/govolsxtra/
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2633/tennessee-volunteers