CNN/SI - 1999 College Football Conference Previews - CNN/SI's Tennessee team preview

The Hunted

Tennessee (’98: 13-0, 8-0 SEC)

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Posted: Thursday August 12, 1999 09:47 PM

The Plot

Call them lucky. Call them good. Whatever the reason, call Tennessee the defending national champions. This time around, though, there is a big orange-and-white bull's-eye on the Volunteers' backs. But Tennessee has both the talent and the experience to make another run to a second national title, something only Nebraska has done this decade. In '99, with a powerful offense and stifling defense, Tennessee has a chance to be better than it was in '98. Call that scary.

The Director

Phillip Fulmer -- seventh season, 67-11-7.

Starring

RB Jamal Lewis -- The knee is healthy, and so is the Vols' ground game. Lewis has rushed for 100 yards in 10 of the 13 games since he became a starter.
QB Tee Martin -- Martin likes to play keep away -- his six interceptions in '98 were the fewest of any starting SEC quarterback.
LB Raynoch Thompson -- Al Wilson wasn't the main reason why the Vols were sixth in the nation in rushing defense.

Co-Starring

FS Deon Grant -- The most athletic player in the conference now that Georgia's Champ Bailey is playing on Sundays.
RG Cosey Coleman -- The word "mammoth" doesn't do this 6-foot-5, 315-pound monstrosity justice.
DT Darwin Walker -- Followed Peyton Manning's lead by passing up NFL riches to return and returning for his senior season. Led the Vols with six sacks in 1998.
CB Dwayne Goodrich -- Can he top his 54-yard interception return for a touchdown in the national championship game?

And introducing

DT John Henderson -- He's too good to keep off the field, senior-laden defensive line aside.

Why it will work

Experience, experience, experience. The Vols know how to win the big game -- and they finally figured out how to beat Florida.

Why it won't

The Vols caught -- and took advantage of -- a lot of breaks in '98. And Phil Fulmer was just turning 21 the last time the Vols last won in Gainesville (1971).

Our critics' review

*****

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