Top 10 Story Lines as the SEC Season Comes to a Close
Nov 15, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Geraldo Orta (26) and lineman Curt Maggitt (56) and linebacker A.J. Johnson (45) and quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) celebrate after the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 50 to 16. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hard to believe but the 2014 regular season is nearing its end. It’s been a great year, especially for Mississippi State. Here are the top 10 story lines to follow as we enter the end of the season in preparation for bowl games and the new College Football Playoff.
10. Will Tennessee get to a bowl game for the first time since 2010?
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been four years since the Vols went bowling. And in that season, Derek Dooley’s first, they were just 6-6 and lost the Music City Bowl to North Carolina. So it’s been four straight losing seasons coming into this year. Here’s the streak Tennessee is trying to break:
- 2011: 5-7
- 2012: 5-7
- 2013: 5-7
Can they take another 5-7 year in Knoxville? I don’t know. They are 5-5 right now and trending up with two straight wins behind QB Josh Dobbs. With a game against Vanderbilt in the season finale they should be able to at least get to 6-6. This weekend vs. Missouri could be interesting as well, so don’t rule out 7-5.
Beating Kentucky this weekend clinched a pretty impressive feat, and not beating the Wildcats for the 29th time in 30 meeting – the Volunteers have never lost more than seven games in one season. That is pretty remarkable and certainly proves the last few years have been the worst in their storied history.