MURFREESBORO, TENN. (HUBBARD) -- WMOT continues to explore what the fall football season might have in store for Tennessee schools. University of Tennessee fans haven’t had a lot to cheer about in recent seasons, but there is some reason for Vols fans to be optimistic in 2012.
Tennessee stumbled through a 5-7 season in 2011 and ended it with a humiliating loss to rival Kentucky.
Lost in the poor record was Tennessee’s solid defense.
The defense was ranked 27th nationally and helped the team stay competitive in games against Georgia and South Carolina.
Tennessee’s running game held the offense back even as quarterback Tyler Bray threw for 17 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Evan Woodbery says fixing the running game may solve much of the problem.
“If they can find some semblance of a rushing attack—even a modest improvement over last year—I think it will really help take some pressure off Tyler Bray and the receivers.”
Tennessee will still have the daunting task of hosting Alabama and traveling to Georgia and South Carolina.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Our thanks to Alex Hubbard, News Editor at our reporting partner Sidelines, for preparing this series for WMOT.
