Five Reasons Vol Fans will Know More about Derek Dooley Soon

Face the facts Vol fans. Derek Dooley was no one's first choice for head coach including AD Mike Hamilton. Timing was everything for Dooley. Given better circumstances, Dooley would not even have made Hamilton’s short list.

Dooley inherited a Volunteer football program that was decimated. Even the most zealous fan did not expect much last year. But it is football time in Tennessee and time to turn the page. If Tennessee is going to be an SEC football power this decade then the stage is set for a next step in 2011. If Dooley is a keeper we will see improvement. No fearless predictions except . . . we will know more soon. Here are 5 reasons why:

1. A Favorable 2011 Schedule – Eight home games including Montana ,Buffalo,  and Middle Tennessee feels nice (we hope). With any level of talent you have 6 wins - so the challenge is to overcome a typical SEC gauntlet. However, Georgia, LSU, and South Carolina are in Knoxville.

2. A Solid Recruiting Class - Under the circumstances, a Rival's recruiting class ranked 13th is acceptable. DeAnthony Arnett (WR - Michigan) and Marlin Love (RB - Florida) leads a group of 12 - 4 star recruits that proves the Vols have national recruiting potential.

3. A Young Starting QB with Experience - True freshman Tyler Bray was impressive in 2010 (18 TD's - 10 INT’s). If he continues the natural maturing process and proves to be the real deal, Derek Dooley might look like the real deal soon thereafter.

4. Another Year in Dooley’s System – Besides the departure of defensive line coach Chuck Smith and strength coach, Benny Wylie everything stays the same on the Vol football staff. That means a lot to a program that saw three head coaches and wholesale chaos the previous three years. Three recruiting classes and two spring practices should give fans a read on the relevance of Derek Dooley football in the SEC.

5. No Pressure – An energized Vol fan base will enter 2011 with realistic expectations after the Fulmer and Kiffin train wrecks. No visions of SEC Championship games or BCS invites should be dancing in fans’ heads yet. Eight wins, one against Florida, LSU, or Alabama, and a bowl one step up from the Music City Bowl should cause the Gatorade to flow in Knoxville. What's your Vol win total prediction in 2011?