The Vols were moving along fine with their "duel freshmen QB approach", that is until both got sidelined with injuries. Their return is a big reason Tennessee is worthy of being granted a Top 10 preseason ranking. A few holes do exist through out this lineup. The big reason that UT won the SEC East had to do with the improvement of the DL. Parys Haralson and Jesse Mahelona now anchor a defensive front line capable of making another conference title run to Atlanta next December. The injury bug has not been kind in Knoxville the last few seasons, and whether LB Kevin Simon can return to full health remains to be seen. But given the overall talent on defense, his prognosis is not "do or die" for the team by any means, just a bonus if he can return. For Coach Fulmer to get his team back into the national title picture, he'll need a better performance from the secondary (ranked dead last in SEC pass defense and only 73rd in all I-A). Jason Allen heads up a secondary capable of making those improvements. There is much to be excited about on the Tennessee River by Neyland Stadium. With a few breaks and some gritty play, the Vols will lessen their output in the loss column. And, with only two defeats in '04, that's not too shabby.

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