UPDATES IN BOLD:

The season will depend on development of the Offensive and Defensive lines.  UT lost a ton of talent from last year's D-Line...and returns all starters from a woefully underproductive O-Line.  New Coordinators on Defense and Offense have fans hopeful of increased productivity.  

O-Line producivity could get a boost from a couple of different story lines:

• Trey Smith...one of the top OL in the country has had his first two seasons cut short when blood clots developed in his lungs each season.  His availability is still very much in question.  He is a force on the OL, and a great kid. - Yesterday, it was announced that Trey Smith has been cleared to play, but will move to Left Guard from his traditional position Left Tackle.  He will start in the opener on Saturday.  How many snaps he will play is anyone's guess.
• Brandon Kennedy...transfer from Alabama who started at center for last year's opener, but was lost for the season with a knee injury two days later.
• Wanya Morris...True Freshman 5-star who looks to have locked down the left Tackle position.  He is a high risk/high rewards kind of kid.  You know that starting an 18-year old is a huge risk, but he is too physically imposing not to have on the field.
• The rest of the group...Coach Pruitt said that they plan on rotating up to 10 players on the OL...which means that they don't have confidence enough in 5 to say they have the positions locked down

D-Line stories:

• The #1 narrative on the defense is Michigan transfer DT Aubrey Soloman.  Tennessee is still waiting on him to be cleared for eligibility and it is getting so late, I'm guessing that he will probably have to sit.  He is the best performer on the D-Line, and his addition would be a huge boost to an inexperienced unit. - It was announced on Tuesday that Aubrey Solomon has been cleared by the NCAA for this season and will start in the opener on Saturday.  

Other Offensive narratives:

• Tennessee returns the starting QB, TE, all WRs and RB from last season.  Fans hope the addition of Jim Chaney at Offensive Coordinator will help the group turn around from what was an enemic 2018.

Other Defensive narratives:

• True Freshman Henry To'o To'o looks to have locked down significant playing time (if not the starting position).  This isn't because UT was thin at the position...he was an early enrollee who is physical and smart (he fits Pruitt's mold of the protypical ILB).  Daniel Bituli and Darrell Taylor are dynamic at the OLB positions.  With the weakness on the D-line (UT typically runs a 3-4) look for an OLB to line up with his hand on the ground as a rush DE quite a bit. - It was announced on Wednesday that Daniel Bituli will sit out the season opener, after having minor surgery on his knee last week.  It is believed he will be available for the BYU game. 
• Defensive secondary is UT's strong suit.  Very deep and very experienced.   - Starting Corner Bryce Thompson has been suspended from the team indefinitely for off-field conduct.  Most likely will not return to the field this season (if ever) for UT.

UT has been down for a decade...The hiring debacles of Kiffin, Dooley and Jones have taken its toll on the program and the fanbase.  We are hoping that Pruitt and his staff are resurrecting a sleeping giant, rather than another regime of disappointment.  Time will tell.