NATIONAL CHAMPS.NET
Coach: Phil Fulmer
76-14, 8 years
1999 Record: 9-3
Sep 04 Wyoming Won 42-17
Sep 18 @Florida Lost 21-23
Sep 25 Memphis Won 17-16
Oct 02 Auburn Won 24-0
Oct 09 Georgia Won 37-20
Oct 23 @Alabama Won 21-7
Oct 30 South Carolina Won 30-7
Nov 06 Notre Dame Won 38-14
Nov 13 @Arkansas Lost 24-28
Nov 20 @Kentucky Won 56-21
Nov 27 Vanderbilt Won 38-10
FIESTA BOWL
Jan 02 @Nebraska Lost 21-31
1999 Final Rankings
AP-9,  BCS-5,  Coaches-9
2000 Outlook

Tennessee has lost more players from the 1999 team than just about anyone in the country. A school record seven first-team All-SEC players have fled for the NFL. The Vols will have to find some leadership amoungst these youngsters just like in 1998. Coach Phil Fulmer has vowed not to lower the standards pronouncing that "Tradition doesn't graduate". The harsh reality is 65 percent of the team this year will be freshmen and sophomores. The Vols went through spring drills simply trying to find out where they are, and what needs to be accomplished over the summer and heading into the fall. There are serious questions at quarterback, the interior lines and in the secondary. But there are also some talented young players ready to step up and make a name for themselves. Tennessee has won 22 straight at Neyland Stadium, which ties Kansas State for the third longest active home win streak in the nation. The SEC schedule will be tough as always. Still, Fulmer is bracing many for a possible step back -- by Tennessee standards. If Big Orange fans weren't happy with last year's 9-3 season, this year might not be much better. Get them this season before all the young studs get a year of experience and come out roaring in 2001.
Projected Record: 8-4

Tennessee 2000 Schedule

TENNESSEE
*POWER RATINGS
Offense
Defense
QB - 2 DL - 2.5
RB - 3.5 LB - 3.5
WR - 4 DB - 1
OL - 2  

 


TENNESSEE
VOLUNTEERS
2000 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

The Oldest and Best Tennessee Volunteer Site on the Net!
2000 OFFENSE
The Vols will rely on running back Travis Henry to carry the load until a new first year quarterback gains some experience. Henry is a punishing hard runner and helped UT lead the SEC in rushing for a third consecutive season in 1999. The QB task will be taken over by either local boy Joey Mathews or Californian Casey Clausen. Neither one has much experience under the belt. Mathews threw 3 completions for 43 yards last year. Don't count out incoming 6-4 freshman John Rattay. The offensive line must mature quickly while breaking in a new QB. There are two solid tight ends in Neil Johnson and John Finlayson and both are solid run blockers. Tackle Reggie Coleman has been hailed as the Vol's next great offensive lineman and Fred Weary is the only returning starter on the line. The receivers will be deep and talented. Cedrick Wilson was on pace last season to break UT's all-time receiving mark before suffering an injury. Parker, Martin, and Stallworth combine to give the QB's some big targets to look at. Donte' Stallworth is the total package with 6-1 height and 4.38 speed in the 40 yard dash. He was one of the few highlights in last year's Fiesta Bowl with 8 catches. The kicking job isn't settled. Alex Walls won an open competition last fall but hasn't been convincingly better than his challengers.
OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
QB Casey Clausen 6-4 210 Fr. Joey Mathews 6-3 215 So.
FB Will Bartholomew 6-0 232 Jr. Troy Fleming 6-2 217 Fr.
RB Travis Henry 5-11 220 Sr. Travis Stephens 5-9 190 Jr.
WR David Martin 6-4 215 Sr. Donte' Stallworth 6-1 190 So.
WR Cedrick Wilson 5-10 175 Sr. Eric Parker 6-0 172 Jr.
T Reggie Coleman 6-5 315 Jr. Brandon Pruitt 6-5 325 Fr.
G Fred Weary 6-4 301 Jr. Scott Wells 6-2 287 Fr.
C Toby Champion 6-4 310 Sr. Scott Wells 6-2 287 Fr.
G Bernard Gooden 6-3 315 Sr. Terriea Smalls 6-3 318 Fr.
T Will Ofenheusle 6-8 315 So. Zack Davis 6-2 285 Fr.
TE John Finlayson 6-4 275 Jr. Neil Johnson 6-4 255 Sr.
K Alex Walls 6-1 175 So. Christian Chauvin 5-10 195 Jr.
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses:


2000 DEFENSE

The biggest concern on defense is vulnerability in the passing game. Lott is the only returning starter in the secondary and sat out the spring with a shoulder injury. In all, five of the top six DBs are gone. Deon Grant, Fred White and Dwayne Goodrich are gone, and at this point, there are few replacements stepping forward in the secondary. We've given up more big plays this spring than we have in some time," said Fulmer, who added that secondary coach Larry Slade cringed every time there was a deep ball. Nebraska embarrassed Tennessee's young defensive tackles in the Fiesta Bowl. The Vols are going to have to maintain the style that enabled it to lead the league in sacks per (3.81) while allowing just three rushing TD's during the regular season. Tackle John Henderson has been on a rampage. With the Vols' interior line thin, Henderson will have to play up to his high school credentials. Will Overstreet is the team's returning lead sackman recording 7.5 of them last year. Now that Raynoch Thompson is gone, the Vols need another athletic linebacker. Eric Westmoreland will be the Vols' best player on defense this season and will be a Butkis Candidate. Dominique Stevenson, the leading returning tackler will solidify the middle.

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
DE Bernard Jackson 6-4 255 Jr. Omari Hand 6-5 250 So.
DT John Henderson 6-7 290 Jr. Edward Kendrick 6-4 265 So.
DT Albert Haynesworth 6-6 310 So. Rashad Moore 6-4 290 So.
DE Will Overstreet 6-4 255 Jr. DeAngelo Lloyd 6-5 265 Sr.
LB Eric Westmoreland 6-0 230 Sr. Eddie Moore 6-0 210 So.
LB Dominique Stevenson 6-0 220 Sr. Keyon Whiteside 6-2 230 So.
LB Anthony Sessions 6-1 215 Sr. Andre James 6-2 218 Jr.
CB Andre Lott 5-11 185 Sr. Charles Small 6-0 185 Jr.
CB Teddy Gaines 6-0 165 Jr. Willie Miles 6-0 175 Jr.
SS Steven Marsh 6-0 180 So. Maurice Fitzgerald 5-9 180 Jr.
FS Tad Golden 6-1 190 Jr. Sterling Kazee 6-2 180 Fr.
P David Leaverton 6-4 210 Sr.        
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses: