Butch Jones: Vols will travel 22 true freshmen to season opener

At his Monday press conference, Vols coach Butch Jones said he expected to see Williams enter Saturday’s contest against Bowling Green at some point, though the extent to which Williams will play is still uncertain. “Arguably, this football team could be younger than (last year’s) How are these individuals going to react when the spotlight goes on and you’re playing for real now, and there’s a score on the scoreboard and everything’s about winning the football game?”

“He’s in the mid-90’s [percent healthy] and I think once he gets into football condition he’ll be fine”, Jones said. Last season, the Vols played 23 true freshmen which marked the most in the country.

“So, we’re excited to get back at it and we’re excited to play Saturday”.

It’s time for Tennessee to keep defenses honest, and Dobbs must prove he can with some pretty downfield passes. He’s not a blazer but he’s fast enough. Thomas sliding inside gives the Vols a little more bulk and power in the interior of the line. Maybe this isn’t a do-or-die season for Vandy’s coach, but Mason desperately needs to show signs of progress in Year 2. The in-state programs have played five times, all in Knoxville. So DB Cam Sutton is ready to help out where needed. “He’s able to find him deep downfield …” Even though the Vols offensive line still has issues, it should dominate Bowling Green’s defensive line. Ryan Burbrink recorded 758 yards and three touchdowns. This year, Coach Jones feels Team 119 could almost match those numbers, putting another emphasis on the importance of leadership.

Below we dive into the Tennessee vs. Bowling Green prediction and game preview.

Tennessee’s first-team center is listed as senior incumbent Mack Crowder or sophomore Coleman Thomas. “We’re all confident in him”.

Where Bowling Green has its work cut out for it is on the defensive side of the ball. He’s a great competitor, and he had a really good scrimmage last week.

Jones also praised Bowling Green quarterback Matt Johnson, who missed most of the 2014 season.

So that means a great chance for Tennessee to dominate this game if they do what they are supposed to do, but if the Falcons can play to their strengths and offset their deficiencies, they will be a much tougher team to beat than we might hope for. “There’s so many things, when I talk about what constitutes the game of unknowns, not just from statistics in tendencies from your opponent, but from ourselves as well”. “Tensions are high, people are exhausted of hitting the same color”.

It seems that just about everyone is jumping on the Tennessee hype train.

A win at Florida will also build momentum for the gauntlet stretch of games following the visit to Gainesville. The way I look at it is we are trying to find a starting eight, starting nine and starting 10.

Tennessee will play Bowling Green this Saturday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.