Keep Expectations For the 2019 Vols Realistic

The media covering the Tennessee Volunteers is somewhat sympathetic.

Remember last season, when in August the starting quarterback position was uncertain and a new coach was trying to mold a struggling team?

Instead of insights as to starting lineups and player development Tennessee fans received propaganda like “Vols Have Good Time in Church!”

Wonder how Arian Foster felt about that.

This week, however, we have received a bit more of the same. ESPN’s David M. Hale championed quarterback Jarrett Guarantano’s low interception rate of last season suggesting a breakout season in 2019.

Meanwhile, the four-letter network’s Football Power Index has given the Vols a better than 50 percent chance to win nine of their games next season.

So this is the breakout season for Tennessee after two losing campaigns, right?

With apologies to Lee Corso, “not so fast.” Nobody is suggesting the Vols are on a level with Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

And similar projections just three years ago may have been a huge factor in the disappointment of the last three seasons.

In 2016 Tennessee was the favorite to win the SEC East. Butch Jones was popular. The glory days were going to be back.

But the fact of the matter is the 2016 Vols were overrated. Tennessee had eight players selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, but 2016 SEC East Champ…