Bowl Blowout Warning Signs

A win over Virginia Tech on Thursday night would have made the Vols a contender for a national ranking to start the 2010 season. In fact, a win may have actually moved the Vols into the national rankings this year. But those hopes fell flat early in the 3rd quarter of the Chick-fil-a Bowl. Tennessee didn't just lose-- they were blown out, 37-14. 

At best, UT fans should be uneasy about 2010. 

Let's start with the obvious. Senior Jonathan Crompton is gone. Rising senior Nick Stephens never had the complete endorsement of head coach Lane Kiffin in '09. The Vols will bring a highly respected high school quarterback (Tyler Bray) and a junior college transfer (Matt Simms) into the system. Kiffin likes to build his offense around the players he has. Right now, he has a huge unknown at the most critical position on the field. Bray and Simms will be here for Spring Practice. That will be the main storyline.

It's too easy to fire-off names of players the Vols will lose. Fact is, all teams lose good players. The key is replacing them with more good players. The Vols have two outstanding freshmen (soon sophomore) running backs in Bryce Brown and David Oku. But replacing Montario Hardesty's spin-and-win attitude won't be easy.

Kiffin maintained a positive approach after Thursday's loss, but it was evident he has concerns. Defensive depth was his biggest. The Vols lose Wes Brown, Dan Williams, Rico McCoy and uh, some guy named Eric Berry. Those are all huge losses-- and in Berry's case, it's an irreplacable loss. 

The Vols won't travel much in 2010, but they will host Pac-10 champ Oregon. Tennessee has lost 3 straight games to Pac-10 teams. Oregon returns their starting quarterback. The Vols toughest road game will be at LSU. Their home scedule includes games against Sugar Bowl winner Florida and possible national champ Alabama. In short, another tough grind.

Kiffin was using Thursday night's game as a measuring stick for the program. A 37-14 loss reveals the Vols aren't anywhere near the top as a college football power. 

Thursday's loss doesn't mean the program is in crisis mode. Kiffin's a good coach and solid recruiter. But there's no doubt it's a humbling time for UT football, and Kiffin (a guy who hates to be humbled) knows it best.