Volunteer faithful hoping Kiffin can back up early trash talk in first season

Luke Robinson

Published Thursday, July 2, 2009

I’ll say this for new Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin: He has made a name for himself.

Eight months ago, Kiffin was known for simply being the last in a long line of failed ex-Oakland Raider coaches. Now, despite being surrounded by names like Saban, Meyer and Spurrier, Kiffin is the talk of the SEC.

The problem is I am not real sure that his newfound popularity is a good thing. While UT supporters have been quick to spout that any press is good press, it may be best to see how Kiffin and company deal with the fallout from his media blunders first. After all, Kiffin and his new staff have been calling out the following schools all summer: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU and, most notably and unadvisedly, Florida. Considering the Vols play four of those five teams this season, we’ll soon know if the young coach’s brash attitude comes back to haunt him.

Most Tennessee people would argue that the program needed a shot of testosterone to reinvigorate the program. UT has played nail to their main rivals’ hammer for a few years now and the only way to regain swagger is to come out swinging. I agree with the premise in theory, but it would be best for the Vols to pack some ammunition to take to the gunfight before daring their competition.

Tennessee is walking into the 2009 SEC dust storm with a bad quarterback situation, shallow depth at running back and a shaky offensive line. For lack of a better description, that is not good. The Vols do have the most dynamic player in the country on defense in the phenomenal defensive back Eric Berry, but after him the lineup is very average.

It is true that UT did help its cause by having a better than expected recruiting class which included the country’s high-rated running back in Bryce Brown. However, their class still ranked below those of Alabama, Florida, LSU and Georgia, so it is hard to say they made up a lot of ground. That’s the problem in the SEC: Even if you finish in the top 10 in recruiting, chances are three to five of your rivals did better.

The biggest hurdle for the Vols in 2009 is the schedule. Tennessee is tested early with a visit from UCLA, who beat the Vols last year. They also have to travel to ‘Bama, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Florida along with home games with Georgia, South Carolina and Auburn. If UT wins a total of three of those eight games, I’ll be shocked given their depth chart.

I am going to begrudgingly say that UT does win 6 games and therefore makes a small bowl, but I don’t think it’ll be an impressive half dozen wins. Kiffin will surely be given a pass for 2009 since Phil Fulmer has gone from hero to goat in Knoxville, but I bet the fans will want some results to back up the brash talk in 2010.

Luke Robinson is part of the Sportz Blitz. This is the sixth in a 12-part series of SEC football team previews. Each column will appear in Friday’s Outlook.

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