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College Football Playoff: Top Legitimate Contenders

By Eric Robinson

Nov 21, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) waits for a play to begin during the first quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) waits for a play to begin during the first quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Cameron Sutton (7) during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Cameron Sutton (7) during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

                                              Tennessee Volunteers 

No you’re not seeing things and no I’m not joking. The Vols are loaded with talented ballplayers and even though a lot of criticism gets tossed towards head coach Butch Jones, it wasn’t that long ago that Clemson’s Dabo Swinney was getting slammed for not winning the big games. Yet, we all know how that has turned out.

Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers /

Tennessee Volunteers

Leading the charge is the dynamic duo at running back in

Jalen

Hurd

(277 carries, 1,285 yards, 12 TDs) and

Alvin Kamara

(107 carries, 698 yards, seven TDs). Behind the two of them, the Vols were 20th in the nation in rushing offense averaging 223.7 ypg.

In order for Tennessee to take that next step, QB Joshua Dobbs will have to gain a little more consistency. The senior passer threw for 2,291 yards and 15 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for another 671 yards and 11 scores as well in 2015. Look for Jones to try to balance out the offense a little more after ranking 92nd in passing.

If the Vols have to rely on their defense, it may not be a bad thing. Especially with two second-team All-SEC members in DE Derek Barnett (69 tackles, 10 TFLs, 12 sacks) and LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (105 tackles, 14 TFLs, six sacks).

The team also has the services of a shutdown corner in Cameron Sutton (28 tackles, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles) and an underrated strong safety in Todd Kelly Jr. (42 tackles, three INTs).

Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Cameron Sutton (7) celebrates after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Cameron Sutton (7) celebrates after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

New defensive coordinator Bob Shoop also has a secret weapon in 2016 #1 JUCO player, 6’6 270 pound defensive end Johnathan Kongbo, who is big, mean, and looking to make his presence known.

The schedule is on their side. Tennessee gets Florida, Alabama, and Virginia Tech at home, with the VT matchup at Bristol Motor Speedway. October 1st at Georgia will be the SEC East “championship” game. This is as stacked of a roster that Butch Jones has had during his tenure.

The right amount of consistency for this Volunteers team can not only guide them to the SEC title game but a possible spot in the final four of college football.

Next: Contender #5

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