Returning Starters on Offense – 7 The offense was horrendous last season, topping 30 points only once after accomplishing that seven times the previous season. Now that junior quarterback Erik Ainge has a hold on the position, he should not be feeling the pressure that the signal callers felt last season. Getting yanked in the middle of the game occurred often and that provided no consistency. Seven starters are back including the entire backfield plus tight end and top wide receiver. Cutcliffe had a hand in developing both of the Manning brothers and Ainge will benefit greatly from his return. The biggest concern is replacing three offensive line starters but it is still a very experienced unit and one that is big and athletic. The offensive unit is ranked among the top three in the SEC heading into this season and there is no doubt it will be more productive in 2006.

Returning Starters on Defense – 5 The defense was one of the few positives last season but graduation took its toll on the unit especially the front seven. All three linebackers need to be replaced as do three of the four defensive linemen. The Volunteers are not going into panic mode however as there is an abundance of talent waiting to take over. Justin Harrell and Turk McBride will form one of the best defensive tackle combos in the conference and there should not be much of a dropoff from Tennessee’s rushing defense that ranked 2nd in the country last season. The linebackers are not as strong but Marvin Mitchell in the middle provides needed leadership. The secondary, which was the weakness last season, will turn into a strength as all four starters are back. Seven of the eight on the two-deep chart are either juniors or seniors.